Following an ex-parte application that was filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, temporarily froze four Jaiz Bank accounts linked to the former Group Managing Director, GMD, of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Mr. Mele Kyari.
Justice Emeka Nwite made the order after listening to counsel for the anti-graft agency, Ms. Ogechi Ujam, who informed the court that the accounts were linked to alleged fraud.
Even though the commission applied to the court for a 60-day freeze on the accounts, Justice Nwite limited the order’s tenure to 30 days, stressing that it could be renewed if necessary.
The EFCC informed the court that the temporary freezing order became necessary, considering that the accounts are the subject of an ongoing investigation in a case involving offences of conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering.
It listed the accounts as Jaiz Bank account number: 0017922724 with account name: Mele Kyari; Jaiz Bank account number: 0017922724 with account name: Mele Kyari; Jaiz Bank account number: 0018575055 with account name: Guwori Community Dev. and Jaiz Bank account number: 0018575141 with account name: Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief.
Ruling on the ex parte application marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1641, Justice Nwite, who is sitting as the vacation judge, held: “I have listened to counsel to the applicant and gone through the affidavit evidence with the exhibits and written address attached.
“I find that this application is meritorious and it is hereby granted as prayed.”
He adjourned the matter until September 23 for the EFCC to report on further developments.
The EFCC, in an affidavit it attached in support of the application, stated that its preliminary investigation revealed the bank accounts were linked to the proceeds of crime.
It stated that there was a need to preserve the funds pending the conclusion of the investigation and possible prosecution of those found culpable.
