EFCC re-arraigns ex-Skye Bank chairman Ayeni over alleged N15.3bn fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned former Skye Bank chairman, Tunde Ayeni, over an alleged N15.39bn fraud before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
Ayeni was re-arraigned on Wednesday before Justice H. Mu’azu of the Maitama Division on an 18-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and diversion of funds.
His re-arraignment followed the transfer of the case from Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the FCT High Court, Apo Division, where he was previously arraigned.
According to the EFCC, the alleged offences involved the diversion and misappropriation of N15,391,093,665.
The commission alleged that Ayeni committed criminal breach of trust on November 20, 2014, while serving as chairman of the board of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, now Polaris Bank Limited.
He was accused of directing the transfer of more than N3bn to the account of Misa Limited domiciled with Zenith Bank.
The former bank chairman was also alleged to have misappropriated over N5bn on December 2, 2014, by transferring the funds to Greenwich Registrar’s account with Union Bank.
Ayeni pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following his plea, prosecution counsel, Abba Muhammed, asked the court to fix a date for trial.
However, defence counsel, E. Inegedu, urged the court to retain the bail conditions earlier granted to the defendant in May.
