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 $7.2 billion refineries’ turnaround maintenance.

A Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, yesterday ordered the temporary freezing of four bank accounts linked to Kyari following an ex parte motion filed by the EFCC. The accounts domiciled in Jaiz Bank include those bearing his name as well as the Guwori Community Development Foundation.

Although EFCC counsel Ogechi Ujam requested a 60-day freeze to allow investigators conclude their probe, Justice Nwite granted a 30-day order, renewable if necessary. He ruled: “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 case was adjourned to September 23 for a progress report.

Sources within the EFCC disclosed that investigators have advanced in probing how funds earmarked for refinery repairs were managed during Kyari’s tenure. Several of his close associates have already been arrested and interrogated. One top official confirmed: “We have even gone far with his (Kyari’s) investigation… whether somebody leaves the country or not, it has nothing to do with our investigations, because whenever we need him, we will get him, and he’s already on our watch list.”

Court filings revealed that over ₦661 million, suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, was traced to the four accounts. The EFCC alleged that the accounts, operated by Kyari and family members, received suspicious inflows from NNPC and oil companies, disguised as payments for a book launch and NGO activities. The commission stressed that freezing the funds was necessary to preserve evidence pending the conclusion of investigations and possible prosecution.

The probe follows petitions, including one filed on April 24 by the Guardian of Democracy and Rule of Law, accusing Kyari of conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering. In June, EFCC operatives arrested Umar Ajiya Isa, former Chief Financial Officer of NNPC, and Jimoh Olasunkanmi, former Managing Director of Warri Refinery, in connection with the same refinery funds. Other former refinery chiefs, including Tunde Bakare of Warri and Ahmed Adamu Dikko of Port Harcourt, are also under investigation.

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. Since then, the EFCC has intensified its crackdown on top officials of the oil firm amid widespread concerns over the failure of Nigeria’s refineries despite huge sums allocated for repairs.