Tension At Kuje Prison As Ex-Skye Bank Chairman Ayeni Allegedly Loses ₦120m Wristwatch During Raid
Former Chairman of Skye Bank Plc, Tunde Ayeni, has reportedly lost valuables, including a wristwatch said to be worth over ₦120 million and his wedding ring, during a controversial raid at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
According to reports by SaharaReporters, the items were allegedly taken during a search operation carried out by senior officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service inside the custodial facility.
Sources within the prison claimed that the operation involved top correctional officers led by the Deputy Controller-General of Operations, alongside officials stationed at the Kuje prison.
The sources further alleged that suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, who is also being held at the facility, lost about ₦2 million during the same exercise.
Insiders disclosed that the officers reportedly entered the prison yard accompanied by operatives with Department of State Services (DSS) dogs, while wearing bulletproof vests, creating panic among inmates.
A source familiar with the incident alleged that Ayeni was searched during the operation before his valuables were confiscated.
“One of the former chairmen of Skye Bank in Kuje prison was searched and robbed of his wedding ring and wristwatch worth over ₦120 million by officers in charge of Kuje prison.
“Abba Kyari was also robbed of his money, about ₦2 million, by the same officers. They came into the yard with DSS dogs and bulletproof vests during the operation,” the source alleged.
The development has reportedly created tension within the correctional centre, with some inmates accusing officials involved in the raid of intimidation and abuse of power.
Another source disclosed that Ayeni was considering taking legal action against the officers allegedly linked to the incident.
“The bank chairman wants to petition them as I speak to you,” the source said.
Reports indicated that the incident occurred during a routine search operation inside the correctional facility. However, some insiders claimed that valuables and cash belonging to certain high-profile detainees were seized without proper documentation or accountability.
As of the time of filing this report, the allegations had not been independently verified.
The Kuje Correctional Centre has faced repeated scrutiny in recent years over security concerns, including jailbreak incidents and allegations involving the treatment of prominent detainees.
The latest claims have again sparked concerns over accountability, inmate welfare and the conduct of security personnel within the nation’s custodial facilities.
Ayeni, a businessman and former chairman of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, is currently facing trial over alleged fraud amounting to about ₦15.7 billion.
He was recently granted ₦200 million bail by an Abuja High Court under strict conditions, including the provision of sureties who must be federal civil servants and a bank guarantee valued at ₦15 billion.
Meanwhile, Abba Kyari, a suspended former Deputy Commissioner of Police and ex-head of the Intelligence Response Team, is facing trial over allegations related to drug trafficking and other offences.
The Nigerian Correctional Service had yet to officially react to the allegations at the time this report was filed.
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