Tunde Ayeni, the former chairman of the now-defunct Skye Bank, has accused his ex-mistress, Adaobi Alagwu, of blackmailing him after he ceased giving her a monthly allowance of N5 million in October 2024.
Ayeni told the Federal Capital Territory Customary Court in Dawaki, Abuja, on Tuesday that in addition to the financial support, he had also purchased a N400 million property in Jabi, Abuja, for Alagwu, naming her as a trustee. However, he has now asked her to vacate the property.
The two have been involved in a paternity dispute over Alagwu’s daughter, with Ayeni publicly denying fatherhood. He filed a lawsuit (FCT/CC/CV/DKDK) to formally state that he is not the father of the child and that no marriage exists between him and Alagwu.
Alagwu, however, maintains that a DNA test from a London laboratory shows a 99.9999997% probability that Ayeni is the biological father of her daughter. Ayeni, on the other hand, disputes the DNA results, claiming they were manipulated.
During the hearing, Ayeni’s lawyer, Joseph Silas, revealed that the matter was scheduled for the petitioner’s definite defense but had been delayed due to a preliminary objection from the respondent.
Silas explained that the objection questioned the court’s jurisdiction, stating that Ayeni had submitted his marriage certificate with his wife in the case.
However, Silas argued that the court still had jurisdiction under the Customary Court Act of 2007, which applies to parties who willingly submit to its jurisdiction.
Silas further explained that the case was not about determining the statutory marriage between Ayeni and his wife, but rather about declaring that no marriage existed between Ayeni and Alagwu, particularly after the dowry, which was paid in error, had been refunded. Silas claimed that Alagwu was using the mistaken assumption of marriage to blackmail Ayeni.
Alagwu’s lawyer, T.G. Okechukwu, disagreed, claiming that the court no longer had jurisdiction over the matter and should dismiss the suit.
The three-member panel, led by Justice Adlin Achoru, adjourned the case until March 11 for a ruling.
