The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) money laundering case against former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari, has been transferred to the registry of the Federal High Court in Abuja for reassignment.
Justice Emeka Nwite, who had previously presided over the case, made the decision, and the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, will determine whether the case is reassigned to Justice Nwite or another judge.
The case involves allegations of money laundering, conspiracy, and abuse of office, with the EFCC claiming Kyari laundered over ₦661 million through multiple Jaiz Bank accounts. The accounts were frozen temporarily in August pending further investigation.
According to the EFCC investigator, Amin Abdullahi, the funds were suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and were disguised as payments for a book launch and non-governmental organization activities.
The EFCC had argued that preserving the funds in the identified bank accounts was necessary pending the conclusion of the investigation and possible prosecution.
The development follows Kyari’s removal as NNPCL boss earlier this year, with growing accusations of financial mismanagement during his tenure.
