“₦15.66bn Fraud Case: Ex-Skye Bank Chairman Ayeni Remanded in Prison”

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo has ordered the remand of former Skye Bank Plc chairman, Tunde Ayeni, in Kuje Prison over an alleged ₦15.665 billion fraud.

Ayeni was arraigned on Monday on a 17-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), bordering on criminal breach of trust, misappropriation, and conversion of funds.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Trial judge Jude Onwuzuruike ordered that the defendant remain in custody until May 13, when his bail application will be heard.

The court declined a request by defence lawyer Ahmed Raji (SAN) to release Ayeni to him or place him in EFCC custody pending the bail hearing.

Raji also told the court that the charge was served on his client on a public holiday.

Meanwhile, EFCC counsel Ekele Iheanacho (SAN) said the anti-graft agency would oppose bail and asked the court to remand the defendant.

According to the charge, Ayeni allegedly misappropriated ₦3,201,535,429.42 from Skye Bank’s suspense account and transferred it to Misa Limited, in breach of banking regulations.

He is also accused of diverting ₦5,078,550,000 to Union Registrar Limited’s account under similar circumstances.

The matter was adjourned to May 13 for the hearing of the bail application.

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