The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of four Jaiz Bank accounts allegedly linked to former Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kolo Kyari, over suspected fraud.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on Tuesday, August 19, while ruling on an ex parte motion (FHC/ABJ/CS/1641) filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and argued by its counsel, Ogechi Ujam.
The EFCC sought a 60-day freeze to complete ongoing investigations, but Justice Nwite limited the order to 30 days, subject to renewal if required.
Ujam told the court the accounts were being probed for alleged conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering. The accounts are:
Jaiz Bank account no. 0017922724 (Mele Kyari)
Jaiz Bank account no. 0018575055 (Guwori Community Dev.)
Jaiz Bank account no. 0018575141 (Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief)
Ruling on the matter, Justice Nwite said:
"I have listened to counsel to 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."
The EFCC based its application on three grounds, stating that the accounts are under investigation for misappropriation of funds and criminal breach of trust.
According to the commission, preliminary findings revealed that ₦661,464,601.50, suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, was warehoused in the accounts. The funds were allegedly funneled through Kyari’s family members acting as fronts and disguised as payments for a book launch and NGO activities.
The EFCC further alleged that suspicious inflows from the NNPC and oil companies were traced to the accounts. It confirmed that a petition dated April 24, filed by the Guardian of Democracy and Rule of Law, triggered the probe.
While awaiting comprehensive records from Jaiz Bank, the EFCC secured a no-debit instruction on the accounts, which is valid for 72 hours. The commission argued that a court order was necessary to preserve the funds during the ongoing investigation.
The matter was adjourned until September 23 for an update from the EFCC.
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