Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja has ordered the freezing of bank accounts belonging to former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) boss, Mele Kyari, following an ex parte application brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The order was granted on Tuesday, August 20, 2025, placing a fresh corruption cloud over the former oil chief who was removed from office earlier this year.
Kyari’s total funds amounting to N661,464,601.50 across three separate accounts with Jaiz Bank have been frozen pending the conclusion of investigations. The affected accounts are registered in his personal name, the Guwori Community Development Foundation, and the Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief account.
EFCC counsel, Ogechi Ujam, argued that temporarily blocking access to the funds was necessary to stop possible diversion as forensic tracing of the money is ongoing. He presented suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1641, urging the court to preserve evidence tied to serious financial crime allegations against the ex-NNPCL chief.
Justice Nwite ruled that the EFCC’s request was “meritorious,” noting he had reviewed the sworn affidavit, exhibits, and written address attached to the application. He therefore granted the freeze order as prayed and fixed September 23, 2025, for the report of ownership of the accounts and further updates on the investigation.
Kyari, who was sacked by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in April 2025, has repeatedly denied wrongdoing despite growing accusations of financial mismanagement during his tenure at the helm of Africa’s most lucrative state-run oil company. His replacement, Bayo Ojulari, has since pledged transparency and a clean break from past practices.
This latest court-ordered clampdown is seen as a major escalation in the EFCC’s case, signalling that substantial evidence may now be emerging against Kyari. Anti-graft campaigners say the outcome will be a litmus test for Tinubu’s promise to revive Nigeria’s fading anti-corruption war.
Attention now shifts to September when the EFCC is expected to present its first progress briefing — a moment that could determine whether Kyari faces full criminal charges or walks away from yet another high-profile probe.
