A Customary Court in Dawaki, Abuja, today ruled that no marriage existed between businessman, Tunde Ayeni (former Chairman of Skye Bank) and Adaobi Alagwu, despite the purported relationship allegedly producing a daughter.
In its judgment on suit FCT/CC/CV/DKDK, delivered on Tuesday, the court ruled Ms Alagwu’s claims to lack merit, citing statutory limitations under the Marriage Act.
The ruling came after Mr Ayeni sought legal confirmation that his alleged marriage to Ms Alagwu, an Abuja-based lawyer, was invalid.
The case, which began on 26 February, centred on the legitimacy of a purported marriage. Ayeni contended that he never married Ms Alagwu and that any payments made were strictly for the child, following pressure from Ms Alagwu’s father. He further argued that his existing marriage to Abiola Ayeni, solemnised in 1994 under the Marriage Act, rendered any alleged union with Ms Alagwu legally void.
Adaobi Alagwu challenged the court’s jurisdiction, arguing it lacked the authority to hear the case. However, the court ruled otherwise, stating that the dispute was not between Mr Ayeni and his legally wedded wife but between him and Ms Alagwu. It also noted that Ms Alagwu had admitted to returning the money paid under customary rites, nullifying any jurisdictional limitation claim.
During court proceedings, Mr Ayeni’s counsel, Joseph Silas, argued that Ms Alagwu resorted to blackmail after Mr Ayeni withdrew a N5 million monthly allowance he had given her.
He also requested that she vacate a N400 million property in Jabi, Abuja, which she occupied.
A significant point of contention in the case was the paternity of Ms Alagwu’s daughter, Omarosa. Ayenidenied fathering the child and called for DNA tests for Ms Alagwu’s other alleged partners.
His legal team accused Ms Alagwu’s father, a self-proclaimed high chief, of coercing Mr Ayeni into accepting responsibility for the child to avoid cultural disgrace. He alleged that the DNA test results presented by Ms Alagwu were fraudulent. He claimed the test centre had denied issuing certain documents, raising doubts about the validity of the results.
The court ultimately ruled in Mr Ayeni’s favour, affirming that no marriage existed between him and Ms Alagwu. Ms Alagwu, who missed multiple court appearances, had previously filed a jurisdictional challenge, arguing that the court lacked the authority to hear the case.
However, after reviewing both sides’ arguments, the three-member panel, led by Adlin Achoru, dismissed her objections and proceeded with the ruling.
-Additional information from Premium Times