Welcome

Tag: Tunde Ayeni

  • ₦120m Wristwatch, Wedding Ring Allegedly Stolen from Ex-Skye Bank Chairman in Kuje Prison Raid

    Former Skye Bank Plc Chairman, Tunde Ayeni, has allegedly been dispossessed of his wedding ring and a wristwatch worth over ₦120 million during a reported raid at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, with suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, also said to have lost ₦2 million in the same operation.

    Alleged Prison Raid Sparks Controversy

    According to SaharaReporters, insiders within the correctional facility claimed the incident occurred during a search operation carried out by senior officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service. The operation was reportedly described by authorities as routine but allegedly resulted in the disappearance of valuables belonging to high-profile inmates.

    Sources said the operation was led by the Deputy Controller-General of Operations alongside officers in charge of the Kuje facility, with operatives reportedly accompanied by DSS dogs and wearing bulletproof vests.

    Ayeni, Kyari Allegedly Targeted During Search

    Multiple sources alleged that Ayeni was searched during the exercise and later found to have lost his wedding ring and expensive wristwatch. Kyari, who is also being held at the facility, was reportedly affected, with about ₦2 million allegedly missing from his belongings.

    One source was quoted as saying officers “stormed the yard with DSS dogs and bulletproof vests” and carried out the operation in a manner that caused panic among inmates.

    Inmates Raise Alarm Over Conduct of Officers

    The alleged operation reportedly triggered tension within the correctional centre, with inmates accusing officers of intimidation and misconduct. Some claims suggested that cash and valuables were taken without proper documentation, although these allegations remain unverified.

    Another insider said Ayeni was considering filing an official petition over the incident, alleging that his valuables were not accounted for after the search operation.

    Authorities Yet to Confirm Allegations

    As of filing this report, the Nigerian Correctional Service had not issued an official statement responding to the allegations, and the claims remain unverified. However, the development has again drawn attention to longstanding concerns about security, accountability, and welfare conditions within the Kuje Correctional Centre.

    The facility has previously faced scrutiny over security breaches and allegations involving high-profile detainees, adding fresh weight to the latest claims.

    Ongoing Legal and Institutional Spotlight

    Ayeni, a former banking executive, is currently standing trial over alleged fraud involving ₦15.7 billion, while Abba Kyari is facing separate charges linked to drug-related offences and other allegations.

    The incident continues to raise questions about prison oversight, transparency in custodial operations, and the treatment of inmates awaiting trial.

     

  • Court Remands Ex-Skye Bank Chairman Tunde Ayeni Over Alleged N8bn Fraud

    A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Apo has remanded former Skye Bank chairman, Tunde Ayeni, in prison custody over an alleged N8 billion fraud case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    The court ordered his remand on Monday after he was arraigned on a 17-count charge bordering on money laundering.

    Court orders remand after arraignment

    Trial judge Jude Onwuegbuzie gave the order after Ayeni pleaded not guilty to all charges brought against him.

    Following the plea, EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, asked the court to fix a date for trial and requested that the defendant be remanded in custody pending proceedings.

    The court granted the request, ordering Ayeni to be held in prison custody.

    Defence pushes for bail hearing

    Counsel to the defendant, Ahmed Raji (SAN), informed the court that a bail application had already been filed and served on the prosecution.

    He appealed for a short adjournment to allow the court hear the bail application, adding that the defence only received the charge sheet on April 23, 2026, during a public holiday.

    Raji also urged the court to release Ayeni to his legal team, assuring that he would be available for trial.

    Court fixes date for bail application

    Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the case to May 13 for the hearing of the bail application.

    The judge, however, declined the request for immediate release, insisting that the defendant remain in custody pending the next hearing.

    EFCC probes wider fraud allegations

    Ayeni’s arraignment follows his arrest by the EFCC in Abuja on April 24 over alleged financial crimes.

    Investigators are probing claims that he was involved in the diversion of funds estimated at N36.5 billion and $30 million, reportedly obtained from Polaris Bank through companies linked to him.

    The case adds to a growing list of high-profile financial crime prosecutions currently before Nigerian courts.