The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of four bank accounts linked to the immediate past Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mr Mele Kyari, following allegations of fraud.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order on Tuesday after hearing an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s counsel, Ogechi Ujam, who informed the court that investigations into the case were ongoing.
“I have listened to counsel for the applicant and reviewed the affidavit evidence, exhibits, and written address attached. I find this application meritorious and it is hereby granted as prayed,” the judge ruled.
The matter was adjourned to September 23 for further proceedings.
According to the ex parte motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1641 and dated August 8, the EFCC sought the court’s leave to freeze the accounts domiciled in Jaiz Bank. The agency alleged that Kyari is under investigation for conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering.
Preliminary findings by the commission revealed that the accounts contained more than N661m suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
An affidavit deposed to by EFCC investigator, Amin Abdullahi, stated that the agency received a petition on April 24 from the Guardian of Democracy and Rule of Law against Kyari. The petition prompted investigators to obtain bank records, corporate filings, and interview individuals and company representatives linked to the transactions.
Abdullahi disclosed that inflows traced to the accounts originated from NNPCL and oil companies with dealings with the corporation. He added that although the accounts were managed by Kyari, they were allegedly operated through family members acting as fronts.
The frozen accounts include two bearing Kyari’s name and two others operated under the name Guwori Community Development Foundation.
He further noted that while a temporary “no debit” instruction had earlier been placed on the accounts, it was limited to 72 hours without a court order, hence the EFCC’s application for judicial approval.
The affidavit revealed that the funds traced to the accounts totalled N661,464,601.50, suspected to be illicit proceeds. The EFCC maintained that freezing the accounts was necessary to preserve the funds pending the conclusion of investigations and possible prosecution.
