Former Skye Bank chairman Tunde Ayeni arrested over N36.54bn and $30m fraud allegations
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
Tunde Ayeni, former chairman of the defunct Skye Bank Plc and a businessman, has been arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC in Abuja. He is being held at the commission's facility in connection with alleged money laundering, misappropriation, and diversion of funds totaling N36.54 billion and $30 million. The arrest follows an EFCC investigation into the alleged misappropriation and diversion of funds obtained from Polaris Bank through various entities linked to Ayeni. These funds were reportedly secured as loans for specific investment projects, including marine security activities, an electricity distribution contract, and estate development. However, investigations indicate that the loans were allegedly diverted to the NITEL/MTEL asset acquisition via a NATCOM account. The EFCC is currently investigating 12 companies reportedly linked to Ayeni, which were allegedly used to obtain these loans from Polaris Bank. An EFCC source stated that these loans, described as depositors' funds, were fraudulently obtained and used for various purposes. Ayeni is expected to be arraigned following the conclusion of investigations. EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale confirmed the arrest but did not provide further details.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadFifty elders from Magamin Diddi village in Zamfara State were abducted by bandits during a peace meeting. The elders, from the Magami/Faru Ward of Maradun Local Government Area, were reportedly taken captive on Sunday after being delegated to meet with the bandits in the forest for dialogue. A local resident, Musa Sani, stated that the community sought reconciliation to allow residents to return to their farms, but the bandits instead kidnapped the elders. The Chairman of Maradun Local Government Area, Bello Dosara, confirmed the incident on Monday, noting that the community did not inform authorities about the reconciliation effort. Dosara expressed concern, emphasizing that both local and state governments oppose reconciliation with bandits, citing Governor Dauda Lawal's stance. He also mentioned that bandits had recently blocked roads to the community market due to the killing of their members by security operatives. Dosara questioned the community's decision to meet with the bandits, who he suggested were seeking retaliation. He confirmed that 11 of the abducted elders have since been released, while 39 remain in captivity.
Neymar is "recovering well" from a calf injury, according to a statement from the Brazil team on Monday. An MRI scan showed he is "making good progress in his treatment." The Brazilian Football Confederation stated he will continue his recovery and fitness program as planned. Neymar, who sustained the injury late last month, is in a race to regain fitness for the World Cup, where Brazil will play Morocco in New Jersey on Saturday. The 34-year-old, now with Santos, has been a key player in Brazil's last three World Cup campaigns, though injuries have kept him from playing for his country since 2023. Coach Carlo Ancelotti previously indicated Neymar would be ready for either Brazil's first or second game and was "in no rush" for his return.
The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested seven suspected bandits as part of ongoing investigations into criminal activities in the Bagudo Local Government Area, including the recent killing of three Federal Road Safety Corps personnel. The arrests, made on June 5, resulted from intelligence-led operations targeting criminal networks in the Soda Forest axis and surrounding border communities. Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, stated that Mobile Police operatives intercepted three suspects, Muhammadu Bande, Aliyu Abubakar, and Muhammadu Aliyu, on a motorcycle from the Soda Forest area, allegedly on a mission to procure food supplies for criminal elements. In a separate operation, four other suspects, Haruna Abubakar, Abubakar Lawali, Anme Shehu, and Yahaya Shehu, were arrested along the Bakin Ruwa–Ka’oje axis. All suspects are in custody, and investigations are continuing to determine their full involvement in criminal activities, particularly the attack on FRSC personnel. The Commissioner of Police in Kebbi State, CP Umar M. Hadejia, described the arrests as a significant breakthrough in combating banditry and violent crime, commending the operatives and public for their support. He reaffirmed the command's commitment to intelligence-driven operations to restore peace and urged residents to remain vigilant.