Alleged N15.6b Fraud: EFCC arraigns Fmr defunct SKye Bank MD, Tunde Ayeni

By Vivian Okejeme

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) Monday, arraigned a former Chairman, Board of Directors of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, Tunde Ayeni.

Ayeni was arraigned on a 17-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and conversion of investors’ funds to the tune N15,665,085,429 (Fifteen Billion, Six hundred and Sixty five Million, Eighty five thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty-nine Naira (N15,665,085,429).

When the matter was called, the prosecution counsel Ekene Iheanacho, SAN, informed Justice Jude Onwuzuruike of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Apo, that the matter was slated for arraignment and prosecution ready for trial.

“We have before the court 17-count charge dated April 28, 2026, we humbly apply that the charge be read to the defendant”, he said.

On his own part, defence counsel, Ahmed Raji Bashir, SAN, informed the court that the charge was given to the defendant on a public holiday adding that he considered it imperative to so inform the court.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In view of his “not guilty” plea, the prosecution prayed the court for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in a Correctional Centre.

“In view of the not guilty plea, may we humbly apply for a trial date, we also pray that the defendant be remanded in the Correctional centre”, he said.

The defence counsel, Raji, however, prayed the court to release the defendant to him or return him to the custody of the EFCC.

Justice Onwuzuruike adjourned the matter to May 13, for hearing of the bail application.

The defendant was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending determination of bail application.

Part of the charge reads: “That you, Tunde Ayeni, whilst being the Chairman, Board of Directors of the defunct Skye Bank Plc between 21st of October, 2014 and 19th November, 2014 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and having dominion over depositors funds domiciled in the defunct Skye bank Plc’s Suspense Account, committed criminal breach of trust when you dishonestly misappropriated the aggregate sum of Three billion, Two hundred and One million, Five Hundred and Thirty Five Thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty Nine Naira, Forty two kobo(N3,201,535,429.42) by transferring same to Misa Limited’s account No: 1011295717 and 1011295718 domiciled with Zenith Bank in Violation of the Prudential Guidelines and other regulations and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 312 of the same Act.

“That you Tunde Ayeni, whilst being the Chairman ,Board of Directors of the Defunct Skye Bank Plc on or about 27th November, 2014, at Abuja within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and having dominion over depositors’ funds domiciled in the defunct Skye bank Plc’s Suspense Account, committed criminal breach of trust when you dishonestly misappropriated the sum of Five Billion, Seventy Eight million, Five hundred and Fifty thousand Naira(N5, 078,550,000) by transferring same to Union Registrar Limited’s Account No: 0003490559 domiciled with Union Bank in violation of the Prudential Guidelines and other Regulations and thereby Committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code and Punishable under Section 312 of same Act.”