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NNPC: Court freezes former GCEO Mele Kyari’s account as probe widens
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of four bank accounts linked to Mr. Mele Kyari, the immediate past Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order on Tuesday following an ex-parte motion brought before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The commission alleged that the accounts were tied to ongoing investigations into fraud-related activities.
EFCC counsel, Ogechi Ujam, while moving the application, told the court that the commission required more time to conclude its probe into the matter.
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. I found that this application is meritorious and it is hereby granted as prayed.”
The matter was subsequently adjourned until September 23 for report.
According to court filings, the EFCC, in a motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1641, sought an order freezing the accounts domiciled in Jaiz Bank. The affected accounts include:
Account No. 0017922724 (Mele Kyari)
Account No. 0018575055 (Guwori Community Development Foundation)
Account No. 0018575141 (Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief).
The anti-graft agency told the court that the accounts were being investigated in connection with allegations of conspiracy, abuse of office, misappropriation of funds, and money laundering.
In a supporting affidavit, EFCC investigator Amin Abdullahi disclosed that the probe was triggered by a petition dated April 24, filed by a civil society group, Guardian of Democracy and Rule of Law.
He explained that preliminary findings revealed that about N661,464,601.50 suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities was traced to the accounts operated by Kyari.
“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.”
He further told the court that some of the suspicious transactions were disguised as payments for a book launch and activities of a non-governmental organisation.
The EFCC maintained that an interim order was necessary to preserve the funds pending the conclusion of investigations and possible prosecution.
Justice Nwite granted the application and ordered that the affected accounts remain frozen until the next hearing date.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.
While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.
President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.
Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.
Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.
Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.
The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.
He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.
If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.
Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has revealed that it investigated the founder of Streams of Joy International, Pastor Jerry Eze, for six months over suspected money laundering before clearing him.
Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Commission, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.
According to him, the probe was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions after the commission observed large inflows of foreign currencies into the cleric’s domiciliary account.
“We work by intelligence, we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was an account, a domiciliary account. Dollars, pounds were dropping in like raindrops, from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.
“I said who is this man? Yes, I’ve been hearing about his name, I’ve seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing. I knew he was a pastor.
“So they said this one pastor of streams of joy, go and investigate him. So we went to the investigation. We combed the books,” Olukoyede stated.
The EFCC boss said he subsequently invited Eze for questioning after preliminary findings were compiled by investigators.
He added that upon meeting the cleric and reviewing the findings of the investigation, the commission found no wrongdoing.
“So he came to my office. He told me what happens and all of that, and how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people, and all of that.
“I said, you know what, I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,” he stated.
The remark drew applause from the audience, as Eze, who was present at the event, acknowledged the commendation.
He noted that the commission has a responsibility not only to investigate financial crimes but also to recognise individuals found to have acted with integrity.
The EFCC chairman, however, stated that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary, stressing that its preventive mandate remains critical in tackling corruption.
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