Socialite Tunde Ayeni has dragged his estranged lover Adaobi Alagwu to the Federal Capital Territory Customary Court, Dawaki, Abuja, for blackmail.

The association took a turn for the worse after he stopped providing her with the N5 million monthly allowance in October 2024.

Ayeni further disclosed that, in addition to the financial support, he had placed Ms. Alagwu in a property worth N400 million in Jabi, where she was named a trustee. However, he has now asked her to vacate the property.

The two have been entangled in a paternity dispute regarding Alagwu’s daughter, whose paternity Ayeni publicly denies.

In response to the paternity claims, Ayeni filed a legal suit (FCT/CC/CV/DKDK) asking the court to declare that he is not the father of the child and that no marriage exists between him and Ms. Alagwu.

Ms. Alagwu, however, presented a DNA test report conducted at a London laboratory, showing a 99.9999997% probability that Ayeni is the biological father of her daughter. Ayeni disputed the results, alleging manipulation of the test.

At the hearing, Ayeni’s counsel, Joseph Silas informed the court that the matter was set for a definite defense.

READ ALSO : BBNaija star Nengi, Governor Diri caught in paternity scandal

However, he pointed out that the respondent had filed a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction.

Silas argued that the objection was unfounded, asserting that the court has jurisdiction based on Section 14, Subsection 2 of the Customary Court Act 2007, which grants jurisdiction when parties submit themselves to the court.

Silas clarified that the issue was not about determining a statutory marriage but about declaring that no marriage existed between Ayeni and Alagwu, especially after the dowry was refunded at Ayeni’s request, as it was never intended to establish a marriage.

He emphasized that Alagwu had been using the false belief of marriage to blackmail Ayeni after he ceased the monthly allowance and demanded she vacate the property.

Silas urged the court to officially declare that no marriage existed between them.

In response, Alagwu’s lawyer, T.G. Okechukwu, argued that the court no longer had jurisdiction to hear the case and requested its dismissal.

He cited a preliminary objection filed on February 26, 2025, urging the court to reject the suit.

After hearing both arguments, the three-member panel of judges, led by Justice Adlin Achoru, adjourned the case until March 11 for a ruling.

Crediblenewsng.com