Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned Tunde Ayeni, former Chairman of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, now Polaris Bank, over an alleged N15.6 billion fraud, marking the third time he has been brought before the court in the last two months.
Gatekeepers News reports that Ayeni was re-arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, on an amended 18-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and diversion of depositors’ funds. The latest arraignment followed the EFCC’s filing of additional evidence and an amended charge in the ongoing case.
According to the anti-graft agency, Ayeni allegedly diverted funds from the suspense account of the defunct Skye Bank while serving as Chairman of its Board of Directors. One of the charges accuses him of dishonestly transferring N510 million to Capital Field Investment Group Limited in September 2014, while another alleges he diverted N600 million to Harigold Ventures Limited in a separate transaction. The EFCC maintains that the transfers violated the bank’s operational policy manual.
Ayeni pleaded not guilty to all 18 counts after they were read in court. The prosecution, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Abba Mohammed, informed the court that the amended charge became necessary following the submission of fresh evidence, while the defence confirmed receipt of the new court documents.
The former bank chairman was first arraigned on May 4 on a 17-count charge before the case was amended. He was subsequently re-arraigned on June 22 after the filing of additional proof of evidence. His latest appearance in court marks the third arraignment within two months as the prosecution continues to update its case against him.
