The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Wednesday arraigned a
former Chairman, Board of Directors, Skye Bank Plc, Tunde Ayeni, before
Justice Valentine Ashi of an Abuja High Court in Apo on a four-count
charge, bordering on criminal breach of trust to the tune of
N4,597,500,000.
Ayeni was arraigned along with Timothy Ajani Oguntayo, for allegedly
conspiring at different times to fraudulently divert depositors’ funds
domiciled at Skye Bank Plc to personal use.
“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 bankers 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 Section 315 of the Penal Code,” read one of the counts.
The duo, however, pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
Counsel for the first defendant, Dele Adesina (SAN), who held brief
for the lead counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), informed the court of their
pending bail application, which was served on the prosecution on
December 13, 2018.
Counsel for the second defendant, Oyetola Oshobi (SAN), also made similar application.
The trial judge, thereafter, admitted them to bail in the sum of N500
million (Five Hundred Million Naira) with two sureties each in like
sum, who must be resident in Abuja, and must own a landed property “of
sufficient value” within Abuja metropolis.
The matter was thereafter adjourned to May 14, 2019, for “commencement of trial.”
- By Idowu Sowunmi
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