EFCC Secures Court Order to Freeze Jaiz Bank Accounts Linked to Former NNPCL GMD, Mele Kyari

EFCC has secured court order to freeze Jaiz Bank accounts linked to Former NNPCL GMD, Mele Kyari.

 

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of four Jaiz Bank accounts linked to the former Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Mele Kyari, over allegations of fraud, conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering.

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order on Tuesday following an ex parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Counsel to the EFCC, Ogechi Ujam, urged the court to freeze the accounts pending the conclusion of the Commission’s investigations.

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

According to the EFCC, preliminary investigations revealed that two of the frozen accounts were directly operated in the name of Mele Kyari, while the other two were registered under a non-governmental organisation, Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief, allegedly controlled by Kyari and his family members.

The accounts listed in court documents are:

• Jaiz Bank Account No: 0017922724 – Mele Kyari

• Jaiz Bank Account No: 0017922724 – Mele Kyari

• Jaiz Bank Account No: 0018575055 – Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief

• Jaiz Bank Account No: 0018575141 – Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief

Investigators alleged that the Jaiz Bank  accounts were used to warehouse suspicious inflows amounting to ₦661,464,601.50, believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities disguised as donations for a book launch and NGO activities.

The EFCC told the court that the accounts received questionable funds traced to the NNPCL and several oil companies with dealings in the petroleum sector.

To preserve the funds, the anti-graft agency had earlier directed Jaiz Bank to place a “no debit” instruction on the accounts, but the freeze could only last 72 hours without a court order.

The EFCC argued that granting the order was in the interest of justice and necessary to prevent further movement of funds while investigations continue.