Court freezes ex-NNPCL boss, Kyari’s accounts

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of four bank accounts linked to the former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Mele Kyari.

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order on Tuesday following an ex-parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The anti-graft agency alleged that the accounts, domiciled in Jaiz Bank, were connected to suspected fraudulent activities.

Counsel to the EFCC, Ms. Ogechi Ujam, had prayed the court to freeze the accounts for 60 days pending investigation. However, Justice Nwite limited the order to 30 days, stressing that it could be renewed if necessary.

According to court documents, the affected accounts are Jaiz Bank account number 0017922724 in the name of Mele Kyari; account number 0018575055 belonging to Guwori Community Development; and account number 0018575141 belonging to Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief.

The EFCC, in its supporting affidavit, disclosed that preliminary investigations traced about ₦661.4 million in suspicious inflows to the accounts. It alleged that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities disguised as payments for a book launch and non-governmental organisation (NGO) projects.

The commission further claimed that the accounts were managed and controlled by Kyari through family members acting as proxies. It added that several inflows originated from NNPCL and oil companies with direct dealings with the corporation during Kyari’s tenure as GMD.

Justice Nwite, while granting the application marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1641, held that the request was meritorious and ordered that the funds remain frozen pending further investigations. The matter was adjourned to September 23 for a progress report.

The EFCC maintained that the freeze order was necessary to preserve the funds and prevent diversion before the conclusion of investigations and possible prosecution of those found culpable.