TUNDE AYENI RE-ARRAIGNED THIRD TIME IN A ROW BY EFCC OVER N15.6Bn FRAUD
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HOTJIST NEWS
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought Tunde Ayeni, who used to be chairman of the board of Skye Bank Plc, now called Polaris Bank, back for another court appearance. He is accused of fraud involving around N15.6 billion.
Ayeni appeared in court on Thursday before Judge Jude Onwuegbuzie at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court in Apo.
He was charged with 18 new counts related to criminal breach of trust, misuse of funds, and diverting money.
He was first arraigned on May 4 and re-arraigned on an amended charge on June 22. Thursday’s proceedings marked the third time Ayeni has been arraigned over the matter.
According to the charge sheet, Ayeni is accused of directing the transfer of more than N3.1 billion from Skye Bank’s suspense account to an account belonging to Misa Limited, domiciled with Zenith Bank, in November 2014, while serving chairman of the bank’s board.
He is also accused of directing the transfer of more than N5 billion from the same suspense account to an account belonging to Greenwich Registrars, domiciled with Union Bank, weeks later in December 2014.
The EFCC alleged that both transactions were carried out in breach of Ayeni’s contractual obligations to the bank, contrary to section 311 of the penal code and punishable under section 312 of the same law.
Ayeni said he didn’t agree with any of the 18 charges.
After Ayeni made his statement, Abba Muhammed, the main lawyer for the prosecution, said the case is ready to continue.
He also mentioned that the first witness for the prosecution is there.
Olalekan Ojo, Ayeni’s counsel, opposed the immediate commencement of the trial, arguing that the prosecution had not filed a summary of the witness’s statements.
Muhammed responded that the summary had been filed alongside the second amended charge.
In his ruling, the judge held that the prosecution had complied with the necessary requirements and adjourned the matter to July 20, 22 and 23 for continuation of the trial.
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