The Federal High Court in Abuja has transferred the case involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the immediate past Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, to the registry for reassignment.

Justice Emeka Nwite, who had presided over the matter during the court’s vacation, made the decision in relation to case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1641/2025, which was initially slated for a compliance report on September 23, 2025.

The development comes after an earlier interim order freezing four Jaiz Bank accounts allegedly linked to Kyari.

According to EFCC counsel Ogechi Ujam, investigations are still ongoing, and the commission required additional time to conclude findings. EFCC maintained that it was crucial to preserve the funds in the accounts pending possible prosecution.

In its application, the commission alleged that the accounts were tied to misappropriation of funds, abuse of office, and money laundering.

An affidavit filed by EFCC investigator, Amin Abdullahi, revealed that a total of ₦661,464,601.50 suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities was traced to the four accounts.

The affidavit further stated that Kyari opened several accounts in Jaiz Bank, which received suspicious inflows from NNPC and oil companies dealing with the corporation. EFCC alleged that these accounts were managed by Kyari through family members acting as fronts.

Investigators also disclosed that some of the suspicious transactions were disguised as payments for a book launch and activities of a supposed non-governmental organisation (NGO).

With Justice Nwite stepping aside, the matter will now be reassigned at the discretion of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, who may return the case to Justice Nwite or allocate it to another judge.