A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered a temporary freezing of four Jaiz Bank accounts linked to the former Group Managing Director (GMD) of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kolo Kyari, over allegations of fraud.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on Tuesday after considering an ex parte motion from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which was argued by its lawyer, Ogechi Ujam.
Although the EFCC had requested the accounts be frozen for 60 days, Justice Nwite limited the order to 30 days, noting it could be renewed.
Read Also: What I Told EFCC Officials Who Interrogated Me – Tambuwal
The EFCC stated that the freeze was necessary for a pending investigation into offenses of “conspiracy, abuse of office and money laundering.”
The accounts, which are at Jaiz Bank, are listed as:
- Account number 0017922724, account name: Mele Kyari (this account number is listed twice in the original article)
- Account number 0018575055, account name: Guwori Community Dev.
- Account number 0018575141, account name: Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief
In his ruling, Justice Nwite said, “I have listened to counsel to the applicant and gone through the affidavit evidence with the exhibits and written address attached.”
He concluded, “I find that this application is meritorious and it is hereby granted as prayed.”
The EFCC stated that its investigation revealed the accounts are linked to a suspect who “took advantage of the complainant to be a contract facilitator and launder proceeds of unlawful activities.”
The commission added that there is a need to preserve the funds “pending the conclusion of the investigation and possible prosecution.”
It said investigation so far revealed, among others, “that N661,464,601.50, which are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, warehoused in four different accounts.
“These funds were traced to the suspect Mele Kolo Kyari, who is the former Group Managing Director (GMD) of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
“The suspect opened various accounts in Jaiz Bank, which have been used to receive suspicious inflows from NNPC and various oil companies that have dealings with NNPC.
“Bank records revealed that these accounts are controlled and managed by Mr Kyari through his family members who are acting as fronts.
“Further investigation revealed that the said transactions in the various accounts were disguised as payments for a purported book launch and activities of a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
“The commission (EFCC) has written to Jaiz Bank, where the four accounts referred to are domiciled, for the hard copies of the comprehensive account details.
“While responses of the banks are being awaited, the commission has written to post a no debit instruction on the accounts, which will only last for 72 hours.
“An order of this honourable court is necessary to freeze the said accounts clearly described in schedule 1 to the Motion paper for while investigation is ongoing.
“It is in the interest of justice to grant this application,” it said.
Join Informant Online WhatsApp Channel With Link Below: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2
To Publish Articles, News, Place Advert, Contact Informant Online With Email Link Below: informantonline.com.ng@gmail.com
