The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Apo, Abuja, on Wednesday fixed May 25 to rule on the bail application filed by former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Skye Bank Plc, Tunde Ayeni, who is currently being held in prison custody over an alleged N15.6billion fraud case.
Ayeni was remanded in prison custody on May 4 after pleading not guilty to a 17-count charge filed against him over his alleged involvement in the multi-billion naira fraud.
The presiding judge, Justice Jude Onwuzuruike, had earlier rejected the defendant’s request to remain in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) pending the determination of his bail application.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, Ayeni’s counsel, Dele Adesina, who moved the bail application, told the court that his client had earlier been granted administrative bail by the EFCC before the remand order was issued.
According to the senior lawyer, the process of perfecting the administrative bail was ongoing when the court ordered that Ayeni be remanded in prison custody at the last hearing.
Adesina further argued that the former bank chairman was entitled to the constitutional presumption of innocence, insisting that the offences contained in the charge were bailable.
However, counsel to the EFCC, G. I. Inde, opposed the application and urged the court to refuse bail.
The anti-graft agency’s lawyer informed the court that the prosecution had filed a 23-paragraph counter-affidavit, accompanied by an exhibit, to justify why Ayeni should remain in detention while the trial continues.
After listening to submissions from both parties, Justice Onwuzuruike adjourned the matter till May 25 for ruling on the bail application.
