Four Jaiz Bank accounts connected to Mr. Mele Kyari, the immediate-past Group Managing Director, GMD, of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, have been temporarily frozen by an Abuja Federal High Court due to suspected fraud.
Following an ex-parte motion to that effect filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) lawyer, trial judge Justice Emeka Nwite issued the decision yesterday. The EFCC informed the court that their investigation was still under progress and that it would take some time to reach a conclusion.
The judge determined that the application was meritorious and, as a result, granted it.
“I have listened to counsel to the applicant and gone through the affidavit evidence with the exhibits and written address attached. I found that this application is meritorious and it is hereby granted as prayed,” the judge said.
The case was postponed until September 23 for reporting by the court.
Due to the fact that the bank accounts listed in the schedule belong to the suspect (Kyari), “who is currently being investigated in a case involving the offences of conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering pending the conclusion of the investigation,” the EFCC requested in its motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1641, filed on August 11, that the accounts be frozen.
The anti-graft agency contended that the Commission is looking into the bank accounts for which the relief is requested in connection with financial theft and criminal breach of trust.
It said that the bank accounts are connected to the suspect who used the complainant as a contract facilitator and laundered the proceeds of illegal acts, according to the preliminary investigation that has been completed so far.
It further stated, “That the money in the designated bank accounts must be kept safe until the investigation is finished and any potential charges are brought.”
