The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of four Jaiz Bank accounts linked to the immediate-past Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Mele Kyari, over allegations of fraud.

Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on Tuesday after counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ogechi Ujam, moved an ex parte application asking the court to freeze the accounts pending the conclusion of the Commission’s investigations.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite said: “I have listened to the counsel for the applicant and gone through the affidavit evidence with the exhibits and written address attached. I found that this application is meritorious and it is hereby granted as prayed.”

The case was adjourned to September 23 for a report on the matter.

According to court filings, the EFCC had on August 11, 2025, sought the freezing order on the grounds that Kyari is under investigation for conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering. The petition that triggered the probe was filed on April 24 by a group known as the Guardian of Democracy and Rule of Law.

Amin Abdullahi, an EFCC investigator, disclosed that preliminary investigations showed two of the accounts are in Kyari’s name, while the other two are registered under a non-governmental organisation, Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief. The accounts listed include:

  • Jaiz Bank account number: 0017922724 – Mele Kyari

  • Jaiz Bank account number: 0017922724 – Mele Kyari

  • Jaiz Bank account number: 0018575055 – Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief

  • Jaiz Bank account number: 0018575141 – Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief

The EFCC alleged that the accounts were used to warehouse “N661,464,601.50, which are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.”

Abdullahi further stated that the funds were disguised as payments for a book launch and NGO activities, but bank records revealed they were controlled by Kyari through family members acting as fronts.

The anti-graft agency argued that the funds must be preserved pending the outcome of investigations and possible prosecution. “That it is in the interest of justice to grant this application,” the EFCC maintained.