The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested businessman and former chairman of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, Tunde Ayeni, over an alleged multi-billion naira fraud.
Gatekeepers News reports that Ayeni was reportedly picked up in Abuja on Thursday and is currently in EFCC custody as investigations continue.
The anti-graft agency is investigating the alleged diversion and misappropriation of about 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 deployed for unrelated purposes.
The loans, reportedly meant for marine security operations, electricity distribution contracts and estate development, were allegedly channelled into the acquisition of telecom assets linked to NITEL/MTEL through a NATCOM account.
The EFCC is also probing about 12 companies linked to Ayeni, which investigators believe were used to obtain the loans from Polaris Bank.
He is expected to be arraigned at the conclusion of investigations.
Confirming the arrest, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale declined further comment on the matter.
