The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of four Jaiz Bank accounts linked to the immediate past Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Mele Kyari, over allegations of fraud, conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on Tuesday after counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ogechi Ujam, moved an ex parte application seeking to freeze the accounts pending the conclusion of investigations.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite said the EFCC’s application was meritorious and granted the request. He adjourned the matter to September 23 for a report on the progress of the investigation.
EFCC’s Investigations
According to documents filed by the EFCC, the motion ex parte was initiated on August 11, 2025, following a petition submitted on April 24 by a group called Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law. The petition accused Mr. Kyari of financial misconduct during his tenure at NNPCL.
An affidavit deposed by EFCC investigator, Amin Abdullahi, revealed that preliminary findings uncovered suspicious transactions in four accounts. Two of the accounts were directly in Kyari’s name, while the other two were registered under the Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief, a non-governmental organisation.
The accounts listed are:
- Jaiz Bank Account No. 0017922724 – Mele Kyari
- Jaiz Bank Account No. 0017922724 – Mele Kyari
- Jaiz Bank Account No. 0018575055 – Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief
- Jaiz Bank Account No. 0018575141 – Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief
Investigators allege that the accounts received suspicious inflows from NNPCL and oil companies doing business with the corporation. EFCC claims that ₦661,464,601.50, suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, was traced to these accounts.
The Commission further stated that the transactions were disguised as payments for a book launch and NGO activities, while in reality, the accounts were allegedly managed and controlled by Mr. Kyari through family members acting as proxies.
The EFCC argued that the freezing order was necessary to prevent the dissipation of funds while investigations continue.
“That there is a need to preserve the funds in the identified bank accounts pending the conclusion of the investigation and possible prosecution,” the affidavit read.
The Commission added that it had already issued a no debit order on the accounts, but the directive would only last for 72 hours unless supported by a valid court order.
The case has now been adjourned to September 23, 2025, for further updates.
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