Court Freezes Mele Kyari’s Accounts Over Alleged Fraud and Money Laundering

The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an interim order to freeze four Jaiz Bank accounts linked to Mele Kyari, the former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), following allegations of fraud and money laundering.

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order after counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ogechi Ujam, filed an ex-parte application seeking to restrict transactions on the accounts pending the outcome of investigations.

According to the EFCC, the accounts are at the center of an ongoing probe involving alleged conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of funds, and laundering of proceeds from unlawful activities. The accounts in question are said to be operated directly or indirectly by Kyari and linked entities, including the Guwori Community Development Foundation.

EFCC’s Investigation

In an affidavit presented to the court, EFCC investigator Amin Abdullahi disclosed that the agency received a petition in April from a civil society group, Guardian of Democracy and Rule of Law, calling for a probe into Kyari’s activities.

Abdullahi stated that preliminary investigations uncovered suspicious inflows totaling ₦661.46 million, which were traced to Kyari’s personal and associated accounts. These funds were allegedly funneled through fronts, disguised as payments for a book launch and activities of a non-governmental organization.

The EFCC argued that preserving the funds was necessary to prevent dissipation before the conclusion of its investigation and potential prosecution. Justice Nwite agreed, stating that the application had merit and subsequently adjourned the case to September 23 for further hearing.

Wider Context

The commission revealed that its inquiries extended to obtaining banking records, corporate filings from the Corporate Affairs Commission, and interviews with individuals and organizations linked to the accounts. Investigators claim the accounts were used to channel payments from NNPCL and oil companies with business dealings at the state oil firm.

Kyari, however, has previously dismissed reports of wrongdoing. In a May statement shared on his official X account, he described such allegations as “mischief” aimed at tarnishing his reputation, stressing that he served “with the fear of God” and is willing to account for his stewardship.

His case is part of a broader EFCC investigation into alleged mismanagement of refinery rehabilitation funds, where billions of naira have reportedly been traced to personal accounts of certain former executives.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has appointed Bashir Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL and Ahmadu Kida as non-executive chairman, with a mandate to strengthen investor confidence and improve operational efficiency at the corporation.