The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday brought back Tunde Ayeni, the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, to the FCT High Court in Abuja. He faces allegations of fraud amounting to N15.6 billion.
The EFCC had earlier charged Mr Ayeni on May 4 with 17 counts and placed him in June Correctional Centre in Abuja.
But the charges changed to 18 due to new evidence, leading to his re-arraignment on Monday.
The EFCC claims Mr Ayeni committed criminal breach of trust, misappropriation, and diversion of funds belonging to the now-defunct Skye Bank Plc, which is now known as Polaris Bank Limited.
Mr Ayeni pleaded guilty to all the charges against him.
Breakdown of Allegations
The charges say Mr Ayeni misappropriated N510 million during his time as Chairman in September 2014. He allegedly transferred this money to the account of Capital Field Investment Group Limited, account No: 1770125552 at Skye Bank.
Additionally, the EFCC stated that he transferred N600 million to Harigold Ventures Limited's account.
The commission mentioned that his actions went against the operational policies of the defunct Skye Bank Plc. They also violated Section 311 of the Penal Code, which is punishable under Section 312 of the same Act.
Section 311 of the Penal Code says, "Whoever, being in any manner entrusted with property or with a dominion over property, dishonestly misappropriates or converts to his own use that property... commits criminal breach of trust."
The law says that if found guilty, the punishment can be up to two years in prison, a fine, or both.
Trial judge Jude Onwuegbuzie postponed the case until July 6 for the trial to start.
This case adds to the list of bankers facing similar charges of criminal breach of trust and misappropriation. In May, the EFCC also charged Blessing Gozi-Anyaokei, the managing director of Viscount Microfinance Bank, over alleged fraud involving N19 million and $30,000. She denied the accusations.
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