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A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of four Jaiz Bank accounts linked to former Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kolo Kyari, amid an ongoing fraud investigation.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on Tuesday while ruling on an ex parte motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1641, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and presented by its counsel, Ogechi Ujam.
Although the EFCC sought a 60-day freezing order to complete its investigation, Justice Nwite limited the freeze to 30 days, with the option of renewal if necessary.
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Ujam told the court that the order was crucial because the accounts were under probe in connection with alleged conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering.
The affected accounts were identified as 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.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite said: “I have listened to counsel to the applicant and reviewed the affidavit evidence with the attached exhibits and written address. I find that this application is meritorious and it is hereby granted as prayed.”
The judge adjourned the matter until September 23 for the EFCC to present an update on the investigation.
The EFCC based its application on three grounds, noting that the bank accounts are subject to an ongoing probe into alleged misappropriation of funds and criminal breach of trust.
Preliminary findings, the commission said, revealed that the accounts were linked to Kyari, who allegedly exploited his role as a contract facilitator to launder illicit funds.
The EFCC stressed the need to preserve the funds pending the outcome of its investigation and possible prosecution.
In a supporting affidavit, the commission explained that its Special Investigations Section (SIS) received a petition dated April 24 from a group, the Guardian of Democracy and Rule of Law, against Kyari.
Investigators alleged that N661,464,601.50, suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity, was traced to four separate accounts operated by Kyari.
According to the EFCC, Kyari opened multiple Jaiz Bank accounts used to receive suspicious inflows from the NNPC and oil companies linked to the corporation.
Bank records allegedly showed that the accounts were controlled by Kyari through family members acting as proxies.
Further checks revealed that transactions in the accounts were disguised as payments for a book launch and activities of a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
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The EFCC told the court it had written to Jaiz Bank requesting detailed hard copies of the account records.
It said while awaiting the bank’s response, a temporary “no debit” instruction had been placed on the accounts, lasting only 72 hours.
“An order of this honourable court is necessary to freeze the said accounts clearly described in schedule 1 to the Motion paper for while investigation is ongoing.
“It is in the interest of justice to grant this application,” it stated.
