By Desire Emmanuel
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday, May 4, arraigned a former Chairman of the defunct Skye Bank, Mr Tunde Ayeni, before Justice Jude Onwuzuruike of the Federal Capital Territory, High Court, Abuja.
He was arraigned on a 17-count charge bordering on alleged breach of trust, misappropriation and conversion of investors’ funds to the tune N15,665,085,429.
Prosecution counsel, E.E. Iheanacho, told the court on Monday that the matter was slated for arraignment and that the prosecution was ready for trial.
“We have before the court 17-count charge dated April 28, we humbly apply that the charge be read to the defendant,” he said.
One of the charges against him reads: “That you, Tunde Ayeni, whilst being the Chairman, Board of Directors of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, between 21st of October, 2014 and 19th November, 2014 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this court and having dominion over depositors funds domiciled in the defunct Skye Bank, committed criminal breach of trust when you misappropriated the aggregate sum of N3,201,535,429.42.
“You transferred same to Misa Limited’s account No: 1011295717 and 1011295718 domiciled with Zenith Bank in violation of the prudential guidelines and other regulations and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 312 of the same Act.”
Another of the counts reads: “That you Tunde Ayeni, while being the Chairman, Board of Directors of the Defunct Skye Bank Plc on or about 27th November, 2014, at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this court and having dominion over depositors’ funds domiciled in the defunct Skye Bank Plc, committed criminal breach of trust when you dishonestly misappropriated the sum of N5, 078,550,000 by transferring same to Union Registrar Limited’s Account No: 0003490559 domiciled with Union Bank in violation of the prudential guidelines and other regulations and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code and Punishable under Section 312 of same Act.”
When the charges were read to him, Ayeni pleaded not guilty and in view of his not guilty plea, Iheanacho prayed the court for a trial date and to remand the defendant in a Correctional Centre.
Defence counsel, Ahmed Raji Bashir informed the court that the charge was given to the defendant on a public holiday, adding that he considered it imperative to inform the court. He also prayed the court to release the defendant to him or return him to the custody of the EFCC.
Justice Onwuzuruike adjourned the matter till May 13 for hearing of the bail application, while Ayeni was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending determination of bail application.
