Timi Frank Faults Tunde Ayeni’s Bail Conditions, Alleges Presidency Interference

Political activist and former deputy national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has criticised the bail conditions granted to businessman Tunde Ayeni by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja, describing them as unusually stringent and potentially damaging to public confidence in the judiciary.

In a statement issued and personally signed by him on Thursday, Frank alleged that the conditions imposed by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the FCT High Court sitting in Apo District of Abuja, were unprecedented and raised concerns about possible political influence in the case.

According to Frank, one of the bail conditions requires a surety to provide a bank guarantee of N15 billion—the amount involved in the charge before the court—with an undertaking that the sum would be forfeited to the Federal Government should the defendant abscond.

He argued that such requirements were excessive for offences that are legally bailable and compared them with bail terms granted to other high-profile defendants facing corruption-related charges.

“It is surprising to hear of such a condition, as it appears highly unusual and capable of bringing shame to our judicial process,” Frank said.

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, who is also the Senior Adviser to the Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA, further alleged that the Presidency may be exerting influence over the matter, claiming that several former public officeholders accused of financial crimes involving far larger sums had secured bail under less restrictive terms.

Frank cited former governors Ifeanyi Okowa and Yahaya Bello as examples of individuals who, according to him, were granted more favourable bail conditions despite the magnitude of the allegations against them.

He expressed concern over what he described as the growing politicisation of Nigeria’s justice system, warning that any perception of interference could undermine the independence and credibility of the judiciary.

The activist called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the bail conditions in order to safeguard public trust in the administration of justice.

“The Nigerian criminal justice system must resist the temptation to equate allegations with guilt. Courts are constitutionally obligated to remain the final guardians of liberty, not silent collaborators in pre-conviction punishment,” he stated.

Frank also urged the international community to closely monitor developments in the case, warning that any perception of a compromised rule of law could discourage foreign investment and weaken confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

Maintaining that the charges against Ayeni were bailable, Frank stressed that Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution guarantees the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

He added that Ayeni has indicated his willingness to stand trial and should therefore be afforded reasonable conditions to enable him prepare his defence while on bail.

LEADERSHIP reports that Tunde Ayeni, the former chairman of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, is facing a 17-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, misappropriation, and conversion of investors’/depositors’ funds totalling ₦15.66 billion.

The FCT High Court granted Ayeni bail on May 25, 2026 in the sum of ₦200 million with two federal civil servant sureties, each owning landed property in Abuja valued at not less than ₦500 million, required to submit National Identity Cards, employment letters, and evidence of property ownership, with one surety obligated to provide a ₦15 billion bank guarantee, while Ayeni must deposit his international passport and cannot travel outside Nigeria without court permission.

The court held that the defendant should remain in prison custody pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.

المصدر: Leadership (Nigeria)