The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, June 22, 2026, re-arraigned the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of defunct Skye Bank Plc, now Polaris Bank Limited, Tunde Ayeni, before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, over an alleged N15.6 billion fraud.
Key Highlights:
- EFCC re-arraigned former Skye Bank chairman Tunde Ayeni over alleged N15.6bn fraud.
- He faces an amended 18-count charge of alleged breach of trust and fund diversion.
- Ayeni pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
- The court adjourned the case to July 6, 2026, for trial.
Ayeni was brought before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie on an amended 18-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust, misappropriation, and diversion of funds.
The development followed the EFCC’s submission of additional proof of evidence in the case.
At the resumed proceedings, EFCC counsel, Abba Muhammed, SAN, informed the court that the commission had filed an amended charge and additional proof of evidence dated June 22, 2026.
Responding, Ayeni’s lawyer, Abdul Mohammed, SAN, confirmed that the defence had been served with the amended charge.
One of the counts alleged that Ayeni, while serving as chairman of the board of directors of Skye Bank Plc, allegedly abused his position by transferring N510 million from the bank’s Suspense Account to Capital Field Investment Group Limited’s account with Skye Bank.
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The EFCC claimed the alleged transaction, which occurred on September 18, 2014, was carried out in violation of the bank’s operational policy manual and amounted to criminal breach of trust under the Penal Code.
Another count accused Ayeni of allegedly transferring N600 million belonging to depositors’ funds from the bank’s Suspense Account to Harigold Ventures Limited’s account domiciled with Sterling Bank on September 23, 2014.
The commission alleged that the transactions constituted offences punishable under relevant sections of the Penal Code.
Ayeni pleaded not guilty to all the charges after they were read to him.
He was initially arraigned by the EFCC on May 4, 2026, on a 17-count charge before the court.
Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter until July 6, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
