EFCC Places Ex-NNPCL Boss Mele Kyari on Watchlist as Court Freezes Accounts

• EFCC froze four bank accounts linked to Mele Kyari, investigating alleged fraud and money laundering in refinery turnaround project

• Probe intensifies with arrests of former NNPCL officials; court adjourns case to September 23 for further updates on investigations

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has placed former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, on its watchlist over the ongoing probe into the controversial $7.2 billion refineries’ turnaround maintenance project.

On Tuesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the temporary freezing of four bank accounts linked to Kyari. The order followed allegations of fraud, conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering.

According to EFCC sources, investigations into NNPCL activities during Kyari’s tenure intensified last month after the arrest and interrogation of his close associates. Detectives reportedly obtained key documents on how funds meant for refinery repairs were managed.

An EFCC official confirmed that Kyari would soon be invited for questioning. “He is already on our watchlist, and his movement is being tracked,” the source said. Another insider added that the agency deliberately kept details of his probe discreet to secure vital evidence.

The frozen accounts, domiciled in Jaiz Bank, include two personal accounts under Kyari’s name and two others linked to the Guwori Community Development Foundation. Court documents revealed that over ₦661 million, suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, was traced to the accounts.

Investigators alleged that the accounts received suspicious inflows from NNPCL and oil companies, disguised as payments for a book launch and NGO activities. The EFCC argued that freezing the accounts was necessary to preserve the funds pending the outcome of its investigation and possible prosecution.

Justice Emeka Nwite, who granted the order, limited the freeze to 30 days, instead of the 60 days requested by the EFCC. He adjourned the case to September 23 for further updates.

The investigation stems from a petition filed by the Guardian of Democracy and Rule of Law in April, which accused Kyari of mismanaging billions of naira allocated for refinery rehabilitation.

Already, several former NNPCL officials have been arrested, including ex-Chief Financial Officer Umar Ajiya Isa and former Warri Refinery Managing Director Jimoh Olasunkanmi. Others under probe include Tunde Bakare (ex-MD Warri Refinery), Ahmed Adamu Dikko (ex-MD Port Harcourt Refinery), and Ibrahim Monday Onoja (ex-MD Port Harcourt Refinery).

Kyari was removed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in April during a major shake-up of the NNPCL board and replaced by Bashir Ojulari as GCEO.

The EFCC stated that the ongoing probe is part of its broader effort to uncover how billions allocated for refineries have failed to deliver functional facilities.