Ex-NNPCL GMD Leaves EFCC After Questioning, Court Freezes Bank Accounts

Former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, on Wednesday left the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja after being interrogated over financial matters linked to his tenure in office.

Kyari arrived at the anti-graft agency’s headquarters around 2:15 p.m. and briefly addressed reporters before entering. “I have done my part; the EFCC must do theirs. When each of us does our duty—without fear or favour, with honour, respect, and commitment—Nigeria moves forward,” he said.

His questioning came amid an ongoing investigation in which the EFCC obtained a court order freezing four Jaiz Bank accounts connected to him. Justice Emeke Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted the order in August but limited it to 30 days, with the option of renewal if necessary. In his ruling, the judge said: “I have listened to the counsel for 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 matter was adjourned to September 23 for further updates.

According to documents filed in court, two of the frozen accounts were registered in Kyari’s name, while two others belonged to the Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief, a non-governmental organisation. EFCC investigator Amin Abdullahi told the court that suspicious inflows linked to NNPC and oil companies were traced to the accounts. “That bank records further revealed that these accounts are controlled and managed by Mr Kyari through his family members who are acting as fronts,” he said.

The investigator also disclosed that “N661,464,601.50, which are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, were warehoused in four different accounts.” The court order was based on a petition filed on April 24 by a group called the Guardian of Democracy and Rule of Law, which triggered the EFCC’s probe into Kyari’s financial dealings.