Federal High Court In Abuja Freezes Four Bank Accounts Linked To Former NNPCL Chief Mele Kyari Amid Fraud Probe.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of four Jaiz Bank accounts allegedly connected to Mele Kolo Kyari, the former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), following accusations of fraud. The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, 19 August 2025, came after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed an ex-parte motion seeking to preserve the funds pending further investigation.
Justice Emeka Nwite, presiding over the case, granted the EFCC’s request, deeming it meritorious. The court’s decision restricts access to the accounts for 30 days, with the possibility of renewal if required. The EFCC had initially sought a 60-day freeze but the judge opted for a shorter period. The matter has been adjourned until 23 September 2025 for a progress report.
The EFCC’s investigation centres on allegations of conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering involving Kyari. According to court documents, the probe was triggered by a petition dated 24 April 2025 from the advocacy group Guardian of Democracy and Rule of Law. The anti-graft agency alleges that approximately ₦661,464,601.50 in suspected illicit funds was traced to the four accounts, which are said to have received suspicious inflows from NNPCL and various oil companies. Two of the accounts are registered under Kyari’s name, while the other two are linked to an organisation called Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief.
EFCC investigator Amin Abdullahi, in a supporting affidavit, stated that the accounts were allegedly managed by Kyari through family members acting as fronts. The agency further claims that transactions in these accounts were disguised as payments for a book launch and activities of a non-governmental organisation. To prevent the dissipation of funds, the EFCC had previously instructed Jaiz Bank to impose a temporary no-debit restriction, which under banking regulations lasts only 72 hours, prompting the urgent court application.
The investigation is part of a broader EFCC probe into the management of funds related to the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s Kaduna, Warri, and Port Harcourt refineries, with at least 14 current and former NNPCL officials under scrutiny. Kyari, who served as NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer until his replacement by President Bola Tinubu in July 2024, has not yet publicly responded to the allegations.
The court’s ruling marks a significant development in the EFCC’s efforts to combat financial misconduct in Nigeria’s oil sector. As the investigation continues, all eyes will be on the 23 September hearing for updates on whether formal charges will be brought against Kyari or others implicated in the case.