The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought former Skye Bank chairman, Tunde Ayeni, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, for a fresh arraignment over an alleged N15.39bn fraud.
Ayeni was re-arraigned on Wednesday before Justice H. Mu’azu following the transfer of the case from the court of Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie at the FCT High Court, Apo Division.
According to the EFCC, the former bank chairman faces an existing 18-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and diversion of funds amounting to N15,391,093,665.
The commission alleged that Ayeni, while serving as chairman of the board of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, now Polaris Bank Limited, diverted more than N3bn into the account of Misa Limited at Zenith Bank on November 20, 2014.
He was also accused of transferring over N5bn to an account belonging to Greenwich Registrar at Union Bank on December 2, 2014.
Ayeni pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him.
Following his plea, prosecution counsel, Abba Muhammed, asked the court to fix a date for trial, while defence lawyer, E. Inegedu, urged the judge to retain the bail conditions earlier granted to his client in May.
The defence counsel argued that Ayeni had complied with the bail terms, including the submission of his international passport and provision of sureties, and had consistently appeared in court.
The prosecution and defence acknowledged that the defendant had attended previous proceedings without any reported violation of his bail conditions.
Justice Mu’azu subsequently adjourned the matter until January 19, 2027, for the commencement of trial.
