Court Remands Ex-Skye Bank Chair Ayeni over ‘N8bn Money Laundering’ Charges

Tunde Ayeni, a businessman and former chairman of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, has been remanded at Kuje correctional centre in Abuja.

Ayeni was arraigned on Monday at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court on a 17-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering to the tune of about N8 billion.

The charges were filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

After the plea was taken, Ekele Iheanacho, counsel to the EFCC, asked the court for a date for commencement of trial.

Iheanacho urged the court to remand the defendant in custody pending the date of trial.

Responding, Ahmed Raji, counsel to Ayeni, told the court that the defence filed for bail application today and served the prosecution.

Raji urged the court to grant a short adjournment for the hearing of bail application.

The counsel said the charge sheet was served on the defense on April 23, 2026, during the public holiday.

The counsel appealed to the court to release the defendant to him and Olalekan Ojo, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and that he will be available in the next adjourned date.

Jude Onwuegbuzie, the trial judge, adjourned the hearing on the bail application to May 13.

THE ARREST

Report shows that Ayeni was arrested in Abuja on April 24 by the EFCC for investigations into 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.

A source told TheCable that the funds, secured as loans for specific projects, were diverted to other accounts and used for other purposes.

The loans – originally meant for financing marine security, electricity distribution contract, estate development, were allegedly channelled into the acquisition of telecom assets linked to NITEL/MTEL through a NATCOM account.

The commission is also investigating about 12 companies linked to Ayeni, which were allegedly used to obtain the loans from Polaris Bank.