Alleged N15.6bn Fraud: EFCC Presents First Witness Against Tunde Ayeni

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, July 6, 2026, presented its first prosecution witness (PW1) in the trial of the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of defunct Skye Bank Plc, now Polaris Bank Limited, Tunde Ayeni.

Ayeni is standing trial before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Apo, Abuja, on an 18-count amended charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust, misappropriation, and diversion of funds amounting to N15.6 billion.

The defendant was initially arraigned on May 4, 2026, on a 17-count charge before being re-arraigned on June 22, 2026, following the EFCC’s filing of an amended charge accompanied by additional proof of evidence.

At the resumed hearing on Monday, prosecution counsel, Abba Muhammed, SAN, called the first prosecution witness, Remigus Ugwu, a staff member of Zenith Bank, who briefly identified himself before the court.

Following the witness’s appearance, Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the case until July 16, 2026, for the continuation of trial.