By ayomide Otitoju
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered an interim freeze on four Jaiz Bank accounts allegedly connected to former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, as part of an ongoing fraud investigation.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on Tuesday after hearing an ex-parte application filed by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Ogechi Ujam, who argued that investigators required more time to conclude inquiries.
“I have reviewed the applicant’s counsel submissions, the affidavit, exhibits, and written address. The application is meritorious and is hereby granted as requested,” Justice Nwite ruled, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1641 and filed on August 11, was adjourned until September 23 for a progress report.
The affected accounts include two held in Kyari’s name (Jaiz Bank account numbers 0017922724 and 0017922725) and two linked to the Guwori Community Development Foundation (account numbers 0018575055 and 0018575141).
According to the EFCC, the accounts are at the center of a probe into suspected conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering. Investigators allege that Kyari used his position to facilitate contracts and launder illicit proceeds through the accounts.
An affidavit deposed by EFCC investigator Amin Abdullahi stated that the probe followed a petition submitted by the Guardian of Democracy and Rule of Law on April 24. Abdullahi disclosed that N661,464,601.50 was traced to the accounts, funds allegedly disguised as payments for a book launch and NGO activities.
“The funds were traced to Kyari, who allegedly used family members as fronts to manage the accounts,” Abdullahi deposed, adding that the commission had already obtained a 72-hour no-debit instruction from Jaiz Bank to preserve the funds.
The EFCC argued that the freeze order was necessary “to maintain the status quo while we pursue justice.”
The development has intensified scrutiny of Kyari’s tenure at NNPCL, spotlighting concerns over transparency and financial governance in Nigeria’s oil industry.
