EFCC Files Fresh Charges against Ayeni, Others
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on May 14, 2019, filed four fresh amended charges against former Chairman, Skye Bank Plc, Tunde Ayeni. Ayeni is being prosecuted before Justice Valentine Ashi of a Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Apo, on criminal breach of trust to the tune of N4, 597,500,000 (Four Billion, Five Hundred and Ninety Seven Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira, Only).
Ayeni is facing trial along with one Timothy Ajani Oguntayo, for allegedly conspiring at different times to fraudulently divert depositors’ funds domiciled at Skye Bank Plc; for personal use.
One of the fresh counts read: “That you, Tunde Ayeni, whilst being the Chairman, Board of Directors of the defunct Skye Bank Plc and Timothy Ajani Oguntayo, while being the Managing Director, MD of the defunct Skye Bank Plc on or about October 16, 2014 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst being officers of the defunct Skye Bank Plc entrusted with property, to wit; depositors funds in the defunct Skye Bank Plc’s Suspense Account, committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the sum of N1,000,000,000 (One Billion Naira) and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Sections 311 and 312 of the Penal Code.”
The accused pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
Counsel for the first defendant, Dele Adesina, SAN, informed the court that they were served with the new amended count charges on May 13, 2019, hence, they need more time to study the charges and come up with their defence. He also prays the court to grant his client the liberty of the bail, he enjoyed on March 6, 2019, by the court.
While the counsel for the second defendant, E. O Akoni, SAN, also made similar application.
In view of the pleas of the counsels for the defendants, the lead prosecution counsel, Suraj Saeda, SAN, however, said that on the basis of the fact that the amended charges were served late to the counsels, that its proper to agree with the prayers of the defense counsels and asked the court to grant them more time to study the new charges.
The trial judge, thereafter, asked the accused persons to deposit their international passports to the court registrar within 48 hours and adjourned the matter to Monday, June 24, 2019, for hearing.
