Dare Babalola
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of four Jaiz Bank accounts linked to Mele Kyari, the former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The court’s decision came after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed an ex parte motion alleging that Kyari was involved in a case involving conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering, according to a report by Guardian.
According to the EFCC, investigations revealed that the accounts, which include two in Kyari’s name and two others linked to the Guwori Community Development Fund and Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief, were suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. The anti-graft agency claimed that Kyari took advantage of his position to facilitate contracts and launder proceeds of unlawful activities.
The court’s ruling, delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, granted the EFCC’s request to freeze the accounts pending the conclusion of the investigation. The judge adjourned the matter till September 23 for a report.
The four Jaiz Bank accounts frozen by the court are linked to Mele Kyari and two community development funds. The accounts are: Mele Kyari’s account with Jaiz Bank account number 0017922724, another account in Kyari’s name with the same account number 0017922724, the Guwori Community Dev. Fund with account number 0018575055, and the Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief with account.
