Alleged Fr@ud: Court Freezes Ex-NNPCL GMD Mele Kyari’s N661m in Jaiz Bank Accounts

 

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of four bank accounts linked to former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kolo Kyari, over alleged fr@ud and money l@undering.

Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on Tuesday while ruling on an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The commission’s counsel, Ogechi Ujam, had sought a 60-day freeze, but the judge limited it to 30 days, subject to renewal.

The EFCC told the court that its preliminary investigation traced ₦661.4 million suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities to the accounts domiciled in Jaiz Bank. The accounts were allegedly used to l@under funds under the guise of a book launch and the activities of a non-governmental organisation, Guwori Community Development Foundation.

According to the anti-graft agency, records show that Kyari controlled the accounts directly and through family members acting as fronts. The commission said the funds originated from suspicious inflows from NNPCL and oil companies dealing with the corporation.

The court directed that the money remain frozen pending further investigation and possible prosecution.