Court Freezes ₦661m in Accounts Linked to Former NNPCL Boss Mele Kyari

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the freezing of four Jaiz Bank accounts linked to the former Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, over alleged fraud and money laundering.

Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on Tuesday following an ex parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The anti-graft agency alleged that the accounts, which held suspicious inflows amounting to ₦661,464,601.50, were connected to unlawful financial activities.

EFCC’s Allegations Against Kyari

Moving the motion, EFCC counsel Ogechi Ujam asked the court to freeze the accounts pending the conclusion of investigations into allegations of conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering against Kyari.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite held,“I have listened to the counsel for the applicant and gone through the affidavit evidence with the exhibits and written address attached. I found that this application is meritorious and it is hereby granted as prayed.”

The case was adjourned to September 23, 2025, for a progress report.

How ₦661m Was Traced

In an affidavit deposed before the court, Amin Abdullahi, an EFCC investigator with the Special Investigation Unit, said the probe began after a petition dated April 24, 2025, was submitted by the group Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law.

Abdullahi revealed that two of the frozen accounts carried Kyari’s name, while two others were linked to an NGO – Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief.

The identified accounts are; Jaiz Bank account number 0017922724 – Mele Kyari, Jaiz Bank account number 0017922724 – Mele Kyari, Jaiz Bank account number 0018575055 – Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief, Jaiz Bank account number 0018575141 – Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief.

The EFCC alleged that Kyari and his associates used the accounts to disguise unlawful funds as payments for a book launch and NGO activities.

“Bank records further revealed that these accounts are controlled and managed by Mr Kyari through his family members who are acting as fronts,” Abdullahi stated.

Why the Court Order Was Necessary

The EFCC told the court that it had earlier placed a 72-hour no-debit order on the accounts before seeking judicial backing to preserve the funds.

Abdullahi explained further, “there is a need to preserve the funds in the identified bank accounts pending the conclusion of the investigation and possible prosecution.”

Justice Nwite agreed, ruling that granting the application was “in the interest of justice.”