“COURT BLOCKS JAIZ BANK ACCOUNTS LINKED TO EX-NNPCL BOSS MELE KYARI AMIDST ALLEGATIONS OF FRAUD”
GREATRIBUNETVNEWS–A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order to temporarily freeze four Jaiz Bank accounts tied to Mele Kyari, the former Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). The court’s decision comes in response to allegations of fraud and money laundering leveled against Kyari.
Key Details:
– Account Freezing: The court’s order restricts any transactions on the accounts until further notice.
– Allegations: The allegations against Kyari include fraud and money laundering, with investigations ongoing.
– Investigation and Trial: The case is currently under investigation, and the court’s decision is part of the legal proceedings.
Implications:
– Reputation: The allegations and subsequent court order may impact Kyari’s reputation and legacy as a former head of NNPCL.
– Industry Impact: The case may have implications for the oil and gas industry, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability.
– Rule of Law: The court’s decision demonstrates the commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that individuals are held accountable for their actions
The affected accounts include Jaiz Bank account number 0017922724 – Mele Kyari; Jaiz Bank account number 0018575055 – Guwori Community Development Foundation and Jaiz Bank account number 0018575141 – Guwori Community Development Foundation (Flood Relief).
According to the EFCC, preliminary findings showed that N661.4 million, suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, was warehoused in the four accounts.
In a supporting affidavit, EFCC investigator Amin Abdullahi said the commission acted on a petition filed by Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law on 24 April.
He told the court that suspicious inflows from NNPCL and oil companies were disguised as donations for a book launch and funding for a non-governmental organisation.
Abdullahi added that the accounts were managed by Kyari “through family members acting as fronts,” and that a no-debit instruction had already been placed pending the court’s intervention.
Kyari, who led NNPCL until April, when President Bola Tinubu dissolved the board and management, has previously denied reports that he was arrested by the EFCC over alleged misappropriation of $2.9 billion meant for refinery rehabilitation.
In a May statement on his X handle, the 60-year-old described such reports as “clear mischief” aimed at damaging his reputation, insisting he was on a “well-deserved rest” after more than three decades of service at the state oil firm.
He maintained his readiness to account for his stewardship: “I must emphasise that I served with the fear of God, knowing fully well that if I do not account before man, I will account before Allah,” he wrote.
Kyari’s case forms part of a wider EFCC investigation into the management of refinery rehabilitation funds. The probe covers at least 14 current and former NNPCL officials, including two other ex-CEOs.
The commission has requested emolument records of the officials, while over N80 billion has reportedly been traced to the personal accounts of a former refinery managing director.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the ongoing investigation, saying it involves “funds released for the rehabilitation of the Kaduna, Warri and Port Harcourt refineries.”
President Tinubu has since appointed Bashir Ojulari as NNPCL Group CEO and Ahmadu Kida as non-executive chairman, tasking them with restoring investor confidence and driving operational efficiency.
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