Court remands ex-Skye Bank chairman Tunde Ayeni over alleged ₦8bn money laundering case
A High Court sitting in the Federal Capital Territory has ordered the remand of former Skye Bank chairman, Tunde Ayeni, at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
The decision was made on Monday by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie after the defence team requested time to properly argue a bail application filed for the defendant.
Ayeni is facing charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The agency accused him of 17 counts related to money laundering involving about ₦8 billion.
He pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to him in court.
Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), asked the court to set a date for trial to begin and also requested that Ayeni remain in custody until the case starts.
However, the defence lawyer, Ahmed Raji (SAN), informed the court that a bail application had already been submitted and served to the prosecution on the same day.
He explained that the charges were only delivered to the defendant on May 1, which was a public holiday, and therefore requested more time for proper response.
Raji also told the court that Ayeni is a senior lawyer with over 35 years of experience, urging the judge to consider granting him bail.
He further appealed that the court release the former bank chief to his legal team, including himself and another senior lawyer, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), assuring that Ayeni would attend all future court sessions.
After listening to both sides, the judge adjourned the case to May 13 for hearing of the bail application while ordering that Ayeni remain in custody at Kuje prison.