Adaobi Alagwu, the estranged partner of former Skye Bank chairman Tunde Ayeni, has reaffirmed her claim that he is the biological father of her daughter Omarosa Abimbola Ayeni.
Through her legal representatives, Ms Alagwu stated that the paternity of her child is “beyond question,” citing a DNA test conducted at the DNA Diagnostics Centre (DDC) in the United Kingdom. The test, reportedly commissioned by Mr Ayeni and his wife, confirmed a 99.9999997% probability that Ayeni is the biological father.
Alagwu’s counsel also addressed allegations disputing the legality of her traditional marriage to Ayeni, asserting that the rites were properly conducted, including the payment of a bride price, and were documented on video. “To claim otherwise is both disingenuous and legally irrelevant,” the statement read.
Ayeni has continued to deny both the paternity of Omarosa and any marital ties to Alagwu. In his testimony at a Federal Capital Territory Customary Court in Abuja, Ayeni insisted that he was never married to Alagwu and called for a court declaration to that effect.
“I want a declaration that she was never my wife; we were never married, and I am not the biological father of her daughter,” Ayeni said.
Ayeni recounted that he initially paid a dowry at the insistence of Alagwu’s family but stated it was not intended as a marriage ceremony. He also claimed to have demanded a refund of the dowry once he became convinced the child was not his.
Ayeni has rejected the DNA test result, alleging it may have been manipulated. He told the court he would only consider retaking the test if other men allegedly involved with Alagwu also participated, further suggesting the child’s physical traits differ from those typical in his family.
Alagwu’s legal team refuted Ayeni’s claims, highlighting his involvement in their child’s life from birth. They alleged that Ayeni was present at Omarosa’s birth in the United States, cut the umbilical cord, and ensured his name was recorded on her birth certificate.
The statement emphasized that Ayeni’s wife, Biola Ayeni, personally accompanied Alagwu and Omarosa to London for the DNA test. “If there was no child, why did Mrs Ayeni accompany them for the test?” the legal team questioned.
Alagwu’s lawyers decried what they described as a “coordinated smear campaign” against her and her child, warning that they would not tolerate the “erasure” of Omarosa’s existence or defamation of her character.
Alagwu has filed a counterclaim asserting that the customary marriage between her and Ayeni was valid and that Omarosa was born during the subsistence of their union.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for March 4, when Alagwu is expected to present her defence.
