
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.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadThe Nigerian Senate is moving forward with legislation that would require global social media companies operating in the country to establish physical offices. This proposal, sponsored by Ned Nwoko Delta North, seeks to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, to enforce this requirement. During a public hearing in Abuja, stakeholders largely supported the bill. The Senate also backed a separate bill to establish an Artificial Intelligence Academy in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State, sponsored by Yemi Adaramodu Ekiti South. Shuaib Salisu Ogun Central, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, stated that both bills aim to strengthen Nigeria鈥檚 digital economy and technological advancement. President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, represented by Deputy Senate Leader Lola Ashiru Kwara South, described the proposals as significant. Nwoko clarified that the social media bill is not intended to stifle operations or target technology companies but rather to promote accountability and deeper engagement, encouraging them to become "true corporate citizens." He cited examples of countries like the United Kingdom, India, and South Africa, which have attracted global tech firms to establish local offices for various functions, including engineering, AI research, and regulatory compliance, leading to job creation, increased tax revenues, and technology transfer. Nwoko argued that Nigeria, as Africa's largest digital market, should also benefit from similar investments and o

The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa, and Shamsu Adamu Sani to life imprisonment for their involvement in the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The men pleaded guilty to terrorism-related charges, including conspiracy, aiding kidnapping, concealing information about terrorists, and professing membership in the proscribed Darul Salam sect, an affiliate of the Ansaru terrorist group. The judge, Justice Salim Ibrahim, ordered the life sentence to commence from their arrest date. The prosecution accused the defendants of conspiring with others to kidnap pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire LGA between January and May 2026. The abduction, which occurred on May 15, 2026, involved 39 pupils and six teachers from three schools. The victims were rescued on July 10 after a coordinated operation by security agencies. President Bola Tinubu, through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the dismantling of the kidnappers' network and the arrest of several suspects. While the convicts' counsel sought leniency, citing them as first-time offenders who showed remorse, the prosecution opposed, arguing they concealed crucial information. The Elesinele of Esinele, Oba Tajudeen Adeoye, and a local resident, Kausara, expressed disappointment with the judgment, suggesting a death sentence would be more appropriate given the severity of the crime and the deaths of security perso

Three minors, aged between four and 15, from Awun community in Oro-Ago, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, have been released after residents reportedly paid a N60 million ransom to their kidnappers. The children were abducted from their home in February while their father, Olajide Buraimoh, was absent. Community sources indicated that the ransom was raised through contributions from local residents and indigenes living abroad, following extensive negotiations. The kidnappers also demanded food items, including rice, groundnut oil, spaghetti, semovita, beer, and seasoning sauce. The fundraising effort was coordinated via the Awun community's WhatsApp platform. A pregnant woman abducted with the children was released last week, while the minors remained captive until Monday. A resident named Ismail described the significant emotional and financial impact on the community. When contacted, Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, stated he was unaware of the abduction or any ransom payment.