Court Freezes Mele Kyari’s Bank Accounts: 7 Shocking Details.
By Our Reporter.
Mele Kyari, the immediate past Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), is facing serious troubles after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the freezing of four bank accounts linked to him.
This case is part of an ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into the management of funds meant for the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s refineries. The probe is extensive, involving at least 14 current and former NNPCL officials, including two other previous chief executives.
As part of its inquiries, the EFCC has requested the emolument records of these officials. Investigators revealed that over ₦80 billion (about $52 million) was traced to the personal accounts of a former refinery managing director. With the court granting the EFCC’s application, Kyari’s circumstances seem to be worsening.
Here are 7 shocking details about the court’s order regarding Kyari’s accounts and the ongoing investigations by the EFCC:
1. Abuja Court Granted EFCC’s Application
On August 19, 2025, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled on the EFCC’s ex parte motion. He stated, “I have listened to the counsel for the applicant and reviewed the affidavit evidence along with the attached exhibits and written addresses. I find this application is meritorious, and it is hereby granted as prayed.”
This ruling provided the EFCC with the authority to temporarily freeze Kyari’s bank accounts, preventing any transactions while investigations continue.
2. Mele Kyari’s 4 Accounts Were Frozen
The EFCC revealed that four accounts linked to Kyari were domiciled at Jaiz Bank Plc. The accounts included: 0017922724 – Mele Kyari; 0018575055 – Guwori Community Development Foundation; 0018575141 – Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief; and another account related to the Guwori Foundation. The accounts affected are operated under the names of Kyari and the Guwori Community Development Foundation.
3.EFCC Detected ₦661 Million Inflow
Investigations by the EFCC indicated that ₦661,464,601.50 had been funneled into these four accounts. The EFCC suspects that funds meant for different purposes were potentially diverted from NNPCL transactions and misrepresented as “charity contributions” or “book launch funds” to conceal their true origin. “The total sum of ₦661,464,601.50 was traced to these accounts, suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities disguised as donations and book launch contributions,” the EFCC stated.
4. Family Members Allegedly Acted as Fronts.
Allegations suggest that Kyari used relatives as proxies to create the impression that the accounts belonged to independent individuals or organizations. This tactic is often employed in money laundering to complicate the tracking of funds. “The respondent used close family members to conceal his interest in the accounts, thereby creating an appearance of legitimacy for the transactions,” the anti-graft agency claimed.
5.Charges Include Conspiracy and Abuse of Office
The EFCC’s court filing revealed that preliminary findings linked the inflows to charges of conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, and money laundering. These accusations are serious. The term “conspiracy” suggests potential collusion with others, possibly insiders at NNPCL, while “abuse of office” indicates misuse of his position for personal gain, and “money laundering” implies efforts to obscure the origins of the funds.
6. The Order Is Temporary Until September 23
The freezing of the accounts is currently a temporary measure. It is an interim order designed to prevent tampering with the funds until the EFCC completes its investigation. The court is set to reconvene on September 23 to hear updates on the case. “This order shall subsist pending the conclusion of the investigation, and a report is to be presented on September 23, 2025,” Justice Nwite clarified in his ruling.
7. Kyari’s Silence Amid Growing Scrutiny
So far, Kyari has not made any public statements regarding the situation. The EFCC noted, “The respondent and his representatives have not provided any credible explanation regarding the source of funds in the frozen accounts.” Kyari’s dramatic fall from one of Nigeria’s most powerful figures in the oil sector to an individual under investigation underscores how quickly political fortunes can change.
He was appointed GMD of NNPC in July 2019 by President Muhammadu Buhari and continued in that role even after the corporation became NNPCL in 2022. However, he was removed from office by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in July 2024 amid allegations of corruption and mismanagement, with Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari appointed as his successor.
