A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday, ordered the remand of a former Syke bank chairman, Tunde Ayeni, in the Kuje correctional facility, pending the determination of his bail application.
The trial judge, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie gave the order after Ayeni’s counsel, Ahmed Raji, SAN, asked for a short date for defence to move the ball application.
The judge adjourned the case till May 13, for hearing of the defendant’s bail application.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had slammed Ayeni with a 17-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of 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 commencement of trial.
The prosecution counsel also urged the court to remand the defendant in custody pending commencement of trial.
Raji however told the court that the defence filed a bail application on behalf of Ayeni on Monday and had, served 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.
Raji informed the court that Ayeni was a lawyer of over 35 years practice and appealed to the court to release Ayeni to him (Raji) and Olalekan Ojo, SAN, assuring that they would present the defendant in court at the next adjourned date.
END
Comments