RismadarVoice Reporters
June 22, 2026
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday re-arraigned a former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, now Polaris Bank Limited, Tunde Ayeni, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, over an alleged N15.6 billion fraud.
Ayeni was re-arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie on an amended 18-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and diversion of funds.
The amended charges followed the EFCC’s submission of additional proof of evidence in the case.
At the resumed proceedings, prosecution counsel, Abba Mohammed (SAN), informed the court that an amended charge and supplementary proof of evidence had been filed on June 22, 2026.
Defence counsel, Abdul Mohammed (SAN), confirmed that the amended charge had been duly served on his client.
According to the EFCC, Ayeni allegedly misappropriated billions of naira from depositors’ funds while serving as Chairman of the Board of the former Skye Bank.
One of the counts alleges that on September 18, 2014, Ayeni dishonestly transferred N510 million from the bank’s suspense account to the account of Capital Field Investment Group Limited, contrary to the bank’s operational policy.
Another count alleges that on September 23, 2014, he transferred N600 million from the same suspense account to the account of Harigold Ventures Limited domiciled with Sterling Bank, also in violation of the bank’s operational guidelines.
The EFCC contends that the transactions amounted to criminal breach of trust under the provisions of the Penal Code.
When the charges were read to him, Ayeni pleaded not guilty to all 18 counts.
The former bank chairman was initially arraigned on May 4, 2026, on a 17-count charge before the charges were amended by the prosecution.
Following his plea, Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter until July 6, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Ayeni is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by the court.
