The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of four Jaiz Bank accounts linked to Mele Kyari, the immediate past group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), over allegations of fraud and money laundering.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order after EFCC counsel Ogechi Ujam moved an ex-parte motion. The judge ruled, “I found that this application is meritorious, and it is hereby granted as prayed.” The matter was adjourned to September 23 for report.
The EFCC told the court that Kyari is under investigation for conspiracy, abuse of office, and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities.
According to filings, N661.4 million suspected to be illicit funds was traced to four Jaiz Bank accounts in his name and in the name of the Guwori Community Development Foundation.
An affidavit deposed by EFCC investigator Amin Abdullahi stated that the funds were disguised as payments for a book launch and NGO activities but originated from suspicious inflows linked to oil companies and the NNPCL. “There is need to preserve the funds in the identified bank accounts pending the conclusion of investigation and possible prosecution,” the EFCC said.
Kyari, 60, has previously dismissed corruption allegations as “clear mischief” targeting his reputation, insisting he served with integrity. His case forms part of a wider EFCC probe into refinery rehabilitation funds, where over N80 billion has reportedly been traced to former oil executives’ accounts.
President Bola Tinubu has since appointed Bashir Ojulari as NNPCL Group CEO and Ahmadu Kida as non-executive chairman, directing them to restore investor confidence and improve efficiency.
