EFCC pursues GMD EX-NNPCL, Mele Kyari, received a court order to freeze his account

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered a temporary freezing of four bank accounts owned by the Director of Past Group Implementation immediately from the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Mele Kyari.

Judge Emeka Nwite gave an order on Tuesday after the Ex Parte application submitted by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC). The Anti-Corruption Agency has requested that the account be detained waiting for the ongoing investigation conclusions against conspiracy accusations, abuse of positions, and money laundering.

“I have listened to advice for the applicant and through proof of written statement with the exhibition and written address attached. I found that this application was meritorious and hereby was given as praying,” Judge Nwite decided. This case was postponed until September 23 for a report on this problem.

According to the court submission, EFCC, through its advisor Ogechi Ujam, was looking for freezing orders on the grounds that the account was related to suspicious entry from NNPC and several oil companies. The Commission accused that the funds, with a total of more than ₦ 661 million, were disguised as payments for the launch of books and activities of non-governmental organizations, flooding assistance for the Guwori Community Development Foundation.

The written statement that was overthrown by investigator EFCC Amin Abdullahi stated that the initial findings revealed two accounts were in the name of Kyari, while the other two were registered under the NGO. The commission claims the account is managed by Mr. Kyari through family members who act as front.

EFCC argues that preserving funds is very important to prevent their dissipation during the investigation. The paper motion emphasizes that “is the interest of justice to give this application.”

The account in question, which is domiciled in the Jaiz Bank, has previously been placed under a temporary “without debit” instruction, which according to EFCC will end within 72 hours without a court order.

The commission stated that frozen funds represent the results of activities that violate the law and have indicated that further action can follow at the end of the investigation.