A former chairman of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, Tunde Ayeni, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged money laundering, misappropriation and diversion of funds amounting to N36.54bn and $30m.
Saturday NGGOSSIPS gathered that Ayeni, who was arrested in Abuja on Thursday, is currently being detained at the commission’s facility.
According to sources familiar with the case, the arrest followed ongoing investigations by the EFCC into the alleged misappropriation and diversion of funds said to have been obtained from Polaris Bank through multiple entities linked to him.
“Operatives of the EFCC have arrested a former board chairman of the defunct Skye Bank Plc and businessman, Tunde Ayeni, in connection with alleged money laundering, misappropriation and diversion of funds to the tune of N36,540,058,400.00 and $30m.
“Ayeni was arrested following investigations into the alleged misappropriation and diversion of funds obtained from Polaris Bank Plc by different entities linked to him.
“The funds were loans allegedly obtained for specific investment projects but were subsequently transferred to other entities’ accounts. Investigations showed that although the loans were obtained for purposes such as financing marine security activities, electricity distribution contracts and estate development, they were diverted to the NITEL/MTEL asset acquisition through the NATCOM account,” one of the sources said.
Another source said the anti-graft agency is currently probing 12 companies allegedly linked to Ayeni, which were reportedly used to obtain the loans from Polaris Bank.
“Twelve different companies linked to Ayeni are being investigated by the EFCC. They are entities he allegedly used to obtain loans from Polaris Bank for his activities. The loans are depositors’ funds allegedly obtained and diverted for other purposes. Ayeni will be arraigned in due course upon the conclusion of investigations,” the source said.
When contacted, EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest but declined further details.
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