A former chairman of Skye Bank Plc, Tunde Ayeni, has been remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja over alleged money laundering offences.
Gatekeepers News reports that Ayeni was arraigned on Monday before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on a 17-count charge involving about N8 billion. The charges were brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Following his plea, EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, asked the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial and requested that the defendant be remanded in custody pending proceedings.
In response, Ayeni’s counsel, Ahmed Raji, told the court that a bail application had already been filed and served on the prosecution. He urged the court to grant a short adjournment to allow for its hearing.
Raji noted that the charge sheet was served on the defence on April 23, 2026, during a public holiday. He further appealed for Ayeni to be released to him and Olalekan Ojo (SAN), assuring the court that the defendant would be available on the next adjourned date.
However, the trial judge, Jude Onwuegbuzie, adjourned the hearing of the bail application to May 13 and ordered that Ayeni be remanded in custody.
Background to the Case
Ayeni’s arraignment follows his arrest in Abuja on April 24 by the EFCC over allegations of large-scale financial misconduct.
According to earlier reports, the anti-graft agency is investigating the alleged diversion and misappropriation of funds estimated at N36.5 billion and $30 million, said to have been obtained from Polaris Bank Plc through companies linked to him.
Sources familiar with the investigation said the funds were secured as loans for specific projects but were allegedly diverted into other accounts and used for unrelated purposes.
The loans — initially intended for marine security, electricity distribution, and estate development — were reportedly channelled into the acquisition of telecom assets linked to NITEL/MTEL via a NATCOM account.
The EFCC is also said to be probing about 12 companies connected to Ayeni, which were allegedly used to obtain the loans from Polaris Bank.
