Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have taken into custody a former chairman of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, Tunde Ayeni, over allegations of money laundering, fund diversion, and misappropriation totaling N36.54bn and $30m.
Ayeni was apprehended in Abuja on Thursday and is currently being held at an EFCC detention facility.
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His arrest followed an ongoing investigation into the alleged diversion of funds reportedly sourced from Polaris Bank Plc through several entities said to be connected to him.
According to sources, the anti-graft agency is probing claims that loans amounting to N36,540,058,400 and $30m were secured under the pretext of financing specific projects but were later redirected to accounts belonging to other entities.
The funds were reportedly intended for ventures such as marine security operations, electricity distribution projects, and real estate development.
However, investigators allege that the money was ultimately funneled into the acquisition of NITEL/MTEL assets through a NATCOM account.
Another source disclosed that the commission is examining the activities of 12 companies allegedly linked to Ayeni, which were purportedly used to obtain the loans from Polaris Bank.
“These firms are under investigation for their role in securing loans—funds belonging to depositors—which were allegedly misused for various questionable purposes. Ayeni is expected to be charged to court once investigations are concluded,” the source said.
When reached for comment, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the arrest but declined to provide additional details.
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