COURT FREEZES BANK ACCOUNTS OF FORMER NNPLC GMD, MELE KYARI

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the freezing of four accounts with Jaiz Bank allegedly linked to former Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, MELE KYARI. Justice EMEKA NWITE made the order based on a motion moved by counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, OGECHI UJAM, asking the court to freeze the accounts pending the conclusion of investigations of KYARI over allegations of fraud. Justice NWITE held that the application was meritorious, having listened to the counsel for the applicant and gone through the affidavit evidence with the exhibits and written address attached. Part of the revelations in the affidavit indicate that the sum of over Six Hundred and Sixty-Six Million Naira found in the bank accounts are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. It also revealed that the EFCC launched an investigation into the matter following the receipt of a petition against MELE KYARI by a group known as Guardian of Democracy and Rule of Law. Meanwhile, Justice EMEKA NWITE has adjourned the matter till September 23, 2025, for a report on the investigation.