May 4, 2026 — SUNTV Global News
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of former Skye Bank Chairman, , at the following his arraignment over alleged multi-billion naira fraud.
Ayeni was remanded after the court adjourned ruling on his bail application until May 13, 2026.
The former bank chief was earlier arrested in Abuja by operatives of the (EFCC) as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged large-scale financial misconduct.
According to the anti-graft agency, Ayeni is facing a 17-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, unlawful withdrawals, and diversion of depositors’ funds during his tenure at Skye Bank between 2014 and 2016.
The charges, filed before a court in the Federal Capital Territory, detail a series of transactions allegedly authorised by Ayeni, involving billions of naira transferred from the bank’s suspense accounts to multiple companies.
Among the transactions listed in the charge sheet are:
- ₦554 million allegedly transferred to Capital Assets Limited
- ₦850 million to Capital Field Investment and Trust Limited
- ₦3.2 billion to Misa Limited
- ₦600 million to Harigold Ventures Limited
- Over ₦5 billion to Union Registrar Limited
The EFCC also alleged that Ayeni authorised additional transfers, including ₦1 billion to Beks Kimse Limited, ₦350 million to Suis Properties Limited, and ₦300 million to Speedy Print Limited, among others.
In one of the counts, the commission accused him of directly withdrawing ₦2.475 billion in cash from the bank’s accounts—an act it described as a clear violation of banking regulations and prudential guidelines.
Prosecutors argue that the transactions were carried out without proper authorisation and constituted deliberate acts of misappropriation of depositors’ funds.
The charges were filed by a team of EFCC lawyers led by senior advocates, who maintained that the alleged offences violate provisions of the Penal Code.
The case has been adjourned to May 13 for ruling on bail, while Ayeni remains in custody pending further proceedings.
The development marks one of the high-profile financial crime prosecutions in recent times, as authorities intensify efforts to tackle corruption and enforce accountability within Nigeria’s banking sector.
— SUNTV Global Channel
