EFCC again, arraigns Tunde Ayeni over N15.6bn fraud

EFCC again, arraigns Tunde Ayeni over N15.6bn fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned Tunde Ayeni, former chairman of the board of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, now P

Bank manager, nursing mother, 3 others arraigned for hacking Premium Trust Bank server (Photos)
EFCC arraign Alex Ologbose, his wife, Hope Onome Oghelemu for laundering N740m
Bernard Nzenwa sentenced to almost 5 years imprisonment for issuing false documents

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned Tunde Ayeni, former chairman of the board of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, now Polaris Bank, over an alleged N15.6 billion fraud.

Ayeni was re-arraigned on Thursday before Jude Onwuegbuzie, judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court in Apo, on an amended 18-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and diversion of funds.

According to the charge sheet, Ayeni is accused of directing the transfer of more than N3.1 billion from Skye Bank’s suspense account to an account belonging to Misa Limited, domiciled with Zenith Bank, in November 2014, while serving chairman of the bank’s board.
He is also accused of directing the transfer of more than N5 billion from the same suspense account to an account belonging to Greenwich Registrars, domiciled with Union Bank, weeks later in December 2014.

The EFCC alleged that both transactions were carried out in breach of Ayeni’s contractual obligations to the bank, contrary to section 311 of the penal code and punishable under section 312 of the same law.

Following Ayeni’s plea, Abba Muhammed, lead prosecution counsel, told the court that the prosecution was ready to proceed, adding that its first witness was present.

Muhammed responded that the summary had been filed alongside the second amended charge.

In his ruling, the judge held that the prosecution had complied with the necessary requirements and adjourned the matter to July 20, 22 and 23 for continuation of the trial.