Court Freezes Bank Accounts Linked To Mele Kyari Over Fraud Probe

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of four Jaiz Bank accounts linked to former NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, over alleged fraud.

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed an ex-parte application seeking time to investigate the accounts.

EFCC counsel, Ogechi Ujam, told the court that the accounts were under probe for suspicious transactions connected to conspiracy, abuse of office and money laundering.

In its filings, the anti-graft agency said it was acting on a petition submitted on April 24 by a group known as Guardian of Democracy and Rule of Law. Investigators claimed that about ₦661.4 million, suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, was traced to the accounts.

According to EFCC, the accounts were opened in Jaiz Bank under Kyari’s name and two foundations — Guwori Community Development Foundation and its Flood Relief arm. The commission alleged that the accounts were controlled through Kyari’s family members and were used to disguise inflows from NNPC and oil companies as NGO funding and book launch donations.

The commission added that it had already placed a temporary “no debit” restriction on the accounts, which required a court order to extend. Justice Nwite ruled that the application was meritorious and approved the request.

Kyari was removed as NNPC boss on April 2 by President Bola Tinubu, who cited the need to improve operational efficiency and restore investor confidence.