The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of four bank accounts linked to former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) deepens its fraud investigation.
EFCC Secures Ex Parte Order
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the EFCC’s request after reviewing affidavits and exhibits filed by counsel Ogechi Ujam. The anti-graft agency argued that the order was necessary to preserve funds suspected to be illicit proceeds.
According to court filings, the accounts domiciled in Jaiz Bank allegedly warehoused over ₦661.4 million, which investigators traced to payments from NNPCL and oil companies with active transactions involving the corporation.
Investigators Trace Funds and Fronts
An affidavit sworn by EFCC investigator Amin Abdullahi revealed that the accounts included two operated directly by Kyari and two under the Guwori Community Development Foundation. Investigators alleged that family members acted as proxies in managing the accounts.
The EFCC confirmed it had requested certified statements from Jaiz Bank and imposed a temporary “no-debit” instruction on the accounts before securing the court order.
Next Steps in the Case
Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until September 23, 2025, for further proceedings. The EFCC maintained that freezing the accounts remains crucial to prevent asset dissipation during the ongoing probe into alleged conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering.
Analysts say the case highlights the regulator’s increasing scrutiny of petroleum-sector transactions and its focus on tracing illicit financial flows through corporate and personal accounts.