The protracted and highly publicized dispute between Nigerian businessman Tunde Ayeni and former beauty queen and lawyer, Adaobi Alagwu, has been a fixture in the media for over two years. Throughout the saga, Ayeni has employed a multi-pronged strategy, utilizing public statements, legal petitions, and family declarations to consistently deny any marital or paternal link to Alagwu and her daughter.
This article chronicles the thirteen key instances where Tunde Ayeni has legally and publicly denounced Adaobi Alagwu's claims.
Public Statements and Family Backing
In August 2023, Ayeni took out full-page advertisements in major Nigerian newspapers with a statement titled 'Setting The Record Straight'. He explicitly stated, 'I wish to affirm that I am a father to three wonderful children with my delectable wife, Abiola. These are the legitimate scions of the Ayeni dynasty. I do not have any child elsewhere'.
That same month, his wife of over three decades, Dr. Biola Ayeni, granted an exclusive interview where she defended her husband. She labeled Adaobi Alagwu a 'desperate gold digger' and stated that both God and her husband had confirmed the child was not his.
In May 2024, the royal family of Ijumu Land, led by Oba Olusegun Williams Ayeni, issued a powerful disclaimer. The Ayeni Obaniwa family declared that no member was in communication with Alagwu or her family and would never compromise their stand, thereby solidifying the family's collective disassociation.
Legal Onslaught and Court Battles
Ayeni's campaign moved decisively into the legal arena. In February 2024, his lawyers wrote to the Nigerian Immigration Service to withdraw consent for the use of the 'Ayeni' surname on Alagwu's daughter's travel documents, asserting no familial relationship.
This was followed by a 'Cease and Desist' letter to Alagwu herself after an alleged unauthorized entry into a property he owned.
On September 12, 2024, Ayeni swore a comprehensive affidavit at an Abuja High Court. He declared his legal marriage only to Mrs. Abiola Ayeni and accused Alagwu of manipulating him into believing he was the father of her daughter, Omarosa.
In February 2025, he filed a petition at the Dawaki Customary Court (Suit FCT/CC/CV/DKDK), seeking a formal declaration that Alagwu was never his wife and Omarosa was not his child. He presented his marriage certificate as evidence. Media reports noted that Alagwu repeatedly failed to appear in court for these proceedings, while Ayeni was consistently present.
Ayeni also publicly discredited a DNA test result presented by Alagwu, calling it 'compromised and unreliable' and pointing to alleged inconsistencies and lab denials.
Legal Victory and Continued Action
The legal efforts culminated on March 11, 2025, when the Dawaki Customary Court in Abuja ruled that Adaobi Alagwu could not claim to be Ayeni's wife nor claim her child was his. Ayeni's legal team released a statement affirming the court's ruling of no marital or biological ties.
Not resting on this victory, in June 2025, Ayeni initiated a new lawsuit (FCT/HC/CV/1282/2025) to reclaim two high-end Abuja properties from Alagwu and her mother, which he alleged they were still occupying illegally.
In a June 2025 interview, Ayeni expressed deep regret, stating, 'I regret ever having anything to do with her and her entire family', and described that period as one of the darkest moments of his life.
In November 2025, Ayeni confirmed he had rejected an out-of-court settlement offer from Alagwu, vowing to see the legal process through despite the reputational damage inflicted on him and his family.
Over two years, Tunde Ayeni's consistent public denials, court appearances, affidavits, and legal filings have formed a calculated strategy to protect his name and family legacy. While the saga exposed personal failings, the March 2025 court ruling provided legal clarity, though Ayeni continues to pursue further legal actions to fully sever all ties.
