Former Chairman of Skye Bank Plc, Tunde Ayeni, has reportedly been dispossessed of personal valuables, including a wedding ring and a wristwatch said to be worth over ₦120 million, during a search operation conducted at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
According to multiple sources within the facility, the operation was led by senior officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service, reportedly accompanied by the Deputy Controller-General (Operations) and officers in charge of the prison. The exercise was said to have created tension among inmates due to the heavy security presence, which allegedly included DSS dogs and armed personnel wearing bulletproof vests.
Sources claimed that former Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, who is also detained at the facility, allegedly lost about ₦2 million during the same operation.
One inmate source alleged that valuables belonging to high-profile detainees were taken without proper documentation, describing the exercise as chaotic and poorly managed.
“The former Skye Bank chairman had his wedding ring and wristwatch taken during the search. Abba Kyari also reportedly lost about ₦2 million,” one source claimed.
The incident has reportedly sparked unrest within the facility, with some inmates accusing officials of intimidation and abuse of authority. Another source added that Tunde Ayeni is considering filing an official complaint over the alleged conduct of the officers involved.
Prison authorities have not issued a formal public statement confirming the allegations at the time of reporting.
The development comes amid ongoing legal challenges faced by Ayeni, who is currently standing trial over allegations involving ₦15.7 billion fraud and was recently granted bail by an Abuja High Court under strict conditions, including significant bail guarantees and high-level sureties.
Kuje Correctional Centre has in the past faced scrutiny over security lapses and allegations of misconduct, particularly involving high-profile detainees and internal operations.
