The anti-graft war in Nigeria has taken a dramatic twist as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is currently grilling Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), over billions of naira allegedly mismanaged during his tenure.
Kyari, who was previously placed on the agency’s watchlist, stormed the EFCC headquarters in Abuja at about 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday to face investigators, Daily Trust reported. At the heart of the probe is his alleged role in the diversion of funds earmarked for the maintenance and rehabilitation of Nigeria’s moribund refineries.
This interrogation comes barely 24 hours after the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the temporary freezing of four Jaiz Bank accounts allegedly linked to the embattled former NNPC boss.
Justice Emeka Nwite, ruling on an ex-parte motion filed by EFCC counsel, Ogechi Ujam, granted the application to freeze the accounts pending the conclusion of investigations into conspiracy, abuse of office, and large-scale money laundering allegations.
“The court finds the application meritorious and hereby grants it as prayed,” Justice Nwite declared, before adjourning the case to September 23 for further hearing.
According to EFCC filings, the frozen accounts include:
Jaiz Bank Account No. 0017922724 (Mele Kyari)
Jaiz Bank Account No. 0018575055 (Guwori Community Development Foundation)
Jaiz Bank Account No. 0018575141 (Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief)
Investigators allege the accounts were used to launder proceeds of unlawful activities under the guise of contract facilitation and community development projects.
A supporting affidavit filed by Amin Abdullahi, an investigator with the EFCC’s Special Investigation Unit, revealed that the probe was triggered by a petition from the Guardian of Democracy and Rule of Law on April 24.
“Preliminary findings indicate that ₦661,464,601.50, suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, was warehoused across four different accounts,” Abdullahi stated.
Kyari’s grilling marks a major escalation in the federal government’s bid to unravel one of Nigeria’s most controversial financial scandals tied to refinery maintenance — a project that has gulped billions of dollars over decades with little to show for it.
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