The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Monday remanded a former Skye Bank chairman, Tunde Ayeni, to Kuje Correctional Facility pending the determination of his bail application.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie gave the order after Mr Ayeni’s counsel, Ahmed Raji, SAN, asked for a short date for the defence to move the bail application.

The judge adjourned the case until May 13 for the hearing of the defendant’s bail application.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed 17 charges against Mr Ayeni over alleged money laundering involving about N8 billion.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Following his not-guilty plea, the prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheanacho SAN, asked the court for a date for the commencement of the trial.

He also urged the court to remand the defendant in custody pending the commencement of the trial.

Counsel for Mr Ayeni, Ahmed Raji, SAN, however, told the court that the defence filed a bail application on behalf of Mr Ayeni today and served the same on the prosecution.

According to him, the charge was served on the defendant by EFCC last Friday, May 1, which was a public holiday.

He urged the court to grant a short adjournment for the bail application to be moved.

Mr Raji informed the court that Mr Ayeni was a lawyer of over 35 years’ practice.

He also appealed to the court to release the defendant to him (Raji) and Olalekan Ojo, SAN, assuring that they would present the defendant in court at the next adjourned date. 

(NAN)