Mele Kyari, former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has been released from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters in Abuja.
Kyari, who was earlier placed on the agency’s watchlist, arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, according to Daily Trust.
Kyari was expected to account for funds allocated to the maintenance of Nigeria’s refineries during his tenure.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order following an ex parte motion filed by the EFCC.
Counsel for the EFCC, Ogechi Ujah, told the court that the Commission was still investigating the matter and needed more time to conclude its probe.
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 find that this application is meritorious, and it is hereby granted as prayed.”
The judge adjourned the matter till September 23 for a report.
The EFCC, in the motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1641 and filed on August 11, sought the freezing of the accounts, arguing that they were linked to Kyari, who is under investigation for conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering.
The affected accounts include: Jaiz Bank Account No. 0017922724 (Mele Kyari), Jaiz Bank Account No. 0018575055 (Guwori Community Development Foundation) and Jaiz Bank Account No. 0018575141 (Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief)
The anti-graft agency alleged that preliminary findings showed the accounts were used to launder proceeds of unlawful activities under the guise of contract facilitation.
Meanwhile, in the affidavit supporting the motion, Amin Abdullahi, an EFCC investigator with the Special Investigation (SIS) Unit, stated that the agency received a petition dated April 24 from the Guardian of Democracy and Rule of Law against Kyari.
Abdullahi said the investigation so far carried out revealed that “N661,464,601.50, which was suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, was warehoused in four different accounts.
