Ex-Skye Bank Chairman, Tunde Ayeni Re-arraigned by EFCC Over Alleged N15.6bn Fraud

By Joseph Sunday 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, June 22, 2026, has re-arraigned Tunde Ayeni, the former Chairman, Board of Directors of the Nigeria defunct Skye Bank Plc (now Polaris Bank Limited), before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the FCT High Court, Apo, Abuja.

According to the EFCC press release signed by Dele Oyewale, Head of Media & Publicity, Ayeni faces an amended 18-count charge involving criminal breach of trust, misappropriation, and diversion of N15.6 billion in depositors’ funds.

Prosecution counsel Abba Muhammed SAN told the court that the EFCC filed an amended charge and additional proof of evidence on June 22, 2026. Defence counsel Abdul Mohammed SAN confirmed receipt of the new charge.

Two key counts detailed in the EFCC statement allege that Ayeni dishonestly misappropriated funds from Skye Bank’s Suspense Account. Count three states that on September 18, 2014, he transferred N510 million to Capital Field Investment Group Limited’s account with Skye Bank. Count five alleges that on September 23, 2014, he transferred N600 million to Harigold Ventures Limited’s account with Sterling Bank. Both actions were said to violate the bank’s Operational Policy Manual.

Ayeni pleaded not guilty to all charges. He was first arraigned on May 4, 2026, on a 17-count charge.

Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the case to July 6, 2026, for trial to commence, the EFCC confirmed.