Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered the freezing of four bank accounts linked to former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kolo Kyari, over alleged suspicious inflows amounting to ₦661,464,601.50.
The order followed an ex parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on August 11, 2025, seeking to restrict transactions on the accounts pending the conclusion of its investigation.
Moving the application, EFCC’s counsel, Ogechi Ujam, said the accounts were under probe for alleged conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering.
In his ruling on Tuesday, Justice Nwite held that the request was meritorious.
“I have listened to the counsel for the applicant and gone through the affidavit evidence with the exhibits and written address attached. I find that this application is meritorious and it is hereby granted as prayed,” he said.
The judge adjourned the matter to September 23 for a report on the investigation.
According to EFCC’s affidavit, deposed to by investigator Amin Abdullahi, the Commission acted on a petition from the Guardian of Democracy and Rule of Law dated April 24, alleging misappropriation of funds and breach of trust by Kyari.
Investigations revealed that two of the accounts were in Kyari’s name, while the other two were linked to Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief, an NGO allegedly controlled by him. All four accounts are domiciled in Jaiz Bank.
Preliminary findings showed that the accounts received suspicious inflows from the NNPC and oil companies, disguised as payments for a purported book launch and NGO activities. EFCC claimed Kyari managed the accounts through family members acting as fronts.
The Commission argued that the freeze order was necessary to preserve the funds pending the outcome of its investigation and possible prosecution.
