The High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of four Jaiz Bank accounts linked to former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, over alleged fraud.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on Tuesday after Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Ogechi Ujam, moved an ex parte application seeking to freeze the accounts pending the conclusion of investigations.
Ruling on the motion, Justice Nwite held that the request was meritorious. “I have listened to the counsel for the applicant and gone through the affidavit evidence with the exhibits and written address attached. I find this application meritorious and it is hereby granted as prayed,” he said. The case was adjourned until 23 September for a progress report.
The EFCC told the court that Kyari is under investigation for conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering. An affidavit by investigator Amin Abdullahi stated that the probe followed a petition filed in April by the Guardian of Democracy and Rule of Law.
According to the EFCC, preliminary findings revealed that two accounts are in Kyari’s name, while two others belong to the Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief. Investigators allege that N661.4 million, suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, was lodged across the four accounts.
The Commission claimed the funds, disguised as payments for a book launch and NGO activities, were traced to Kyari and managed through his family members. It argued that preserving the funds was necessary to prevent dissipation before possible prosecution.