The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of four Jaiz Bank accounts linked to Mr Mele Kyari, the immediate past Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), over allegations of fraud and money laundering.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on Tuesday after counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ogechi Ujam, filed an ex-parte motion. The EFCC told the court that investigations were still ongoing and more time was needed to conclude findings.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite said: “I have listened to counsel to the applicant and gone through the affidavit evidence with the exhibits and written address attached. I found that this application is meritorious and it is hereby granted as prayed.” The matter was adjourned until 23 September for report.
The EFCC, in its motion ex-parte (FHC/ABJ/CS/1641), dated 8 August and filed on 11 August, sought an order to freeze the accounts owned by Kyari, who is currently under investigation for conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering.
The affected accounts include: Jaiz Bank account number 0017922724 (Mele Kyari), Jaiz Bank account number 0018575055 (Guwori Community Development Fund), and Jaiz Bank account number 0018575141 (Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief).
According to the EFCC, preliminary investigations revealed that the bank accounts were linked to Kyari and were used to launder suspected proceeds of unlawful activities. The Commission argued that freezing the accounts was necessary to preserve the funds pending the conclusion of investigations and possible prosecution.
In an affidavit, EFCC investigator Amin Abdullahi stated that the agency received a petition on 24 April from Guardian of Democracy and Rule of Law against Kyari. Abdullahi confirmed that his team obtained bank records, corporate details from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and interviewed relevant individuals as part of the probe.
The EFCC’s findings alleged that ₦661,464,601.50 was traced to Kyari, believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities stored across four accounts. Investigators said Kyari used his family members as fronts to operate the accounts, which received suspicious inflows from the NNPC and oil companies.
The transactions were allegedly disguised as payments for a book launch and the activities of a non-governmental organisation (NGO). The EFCC said it had written to Jaiz Bank for comprehensive account details and had already placed a temporary 72-hour no-debit restriction on the accounts.
The Commission maintained that securing a formal court order was necessary to ensure the funds remained frozen while investigations continued.
Crazy story about Jaiz Bank accounts tied to Mele Kyari and that ₦661m fraud allegation. Honestly, seeing courts freeze assets feels like a rare accountability move in Nigeria. Makes you wonder how deep corruption runs. While reading, I even got distracted checking Arabic Iptv Canada deals.
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