The ongoing paternity fraud scandal involving Abuja-based lawyer Adaobi Alagwu and Nigerian businessman Tunde Ayeni has taken another dramatic turn as she failed to appear in court for the second time. The legal battle began a few weeks ago when Mr Ayeni dragged Mrs Alagwu before Dawaki Customary Court, Abuja, to address her claims of paternity and a purported marriage.

Mrs Alagwu was initially summoned to appear before the court on February 11, 2025, to answer questions regarding her claims. However, she was conspicuously absent, prompting the court to adjourn the case until February 17. Yet again, she failed to show up, raising further doubts about her credibility and the authenticity of her claims. 

Mrs Alagwu’s no-show follows her failed attempt to deceive the public with a fabricated DNA test result, which falsely claimed that Mr Ayeni was the father of her child. The businessman swiftly denounced the document as fake, and investigations confirmed that the result was doctored. According to a report by TheCable Lifestyle, the DNA document Alagwu circulated was a product of manipulation in a desperate bid to validate her claims.

Mr Ayeni, who has been legally married to Biola Ayeni for over thirty years, presented a certified marriage certificate in court to reaffirm his marital status. This evidence directly contradicts Mrs Alagwu’s assertions of any legitimate marital relationship with him.

Observers on social media have also pointed out a significant cultural discrepancy in Mrs Alagwu’s claims. As an Igbo woman, she should be well aware that, according to Igbo tradition, it is taboo for a brideprice to be paid when a woman is already pregnant. This cultural norm further invalidates her narrative and questions what she stands to gain by dragging her family name through the mud and casting doubt on her child’s future and paternity.

The court proceedings have sparked public interest, with many questioning why Alagwu continues to avoid the legal process and whether her claims hold any truth. Sources say she’s avoiding the court premises because of paparazzi and media presence. Legal experts suggest that her consistent absence could be interpreted as an admission of guilt or fear of being exposed under cross-examination.

According to Mr Ayeni, who entered the witness box for cross-examination, “Adaobi is known to have dated multiple people between Lagos and Abuja at the time and her numerous other boyfriends must be made to subject themselves to a DNA test”. 

He went on to add that he was cajoled by her father, who claimed he was a high chief in his community, as the community leader would face a huge disgrace if his daughter were to birth a child without being officially married. Mr Ayeni made him understand he was married under the act. Yet, Mrs Alagwu’s father cried and whispered that it was better for a married man to impregnate her than for his title to be ridiculed. ‘What a joke of a father’, Mr Ayeni said. 

Being a man of repute in society, Ayeni succumbed, as he was also worried that the doubt this would cast on his marriage could cost him too much. Today, the die is cast, and Mrs Alagwu, who willingly showed her child’s face out in public, could not appear to defend her legitimacy. Instead, she subjected her two young, inexperienced lawyers to represent her, tendering a medical report that claimed she was sick. The case was once again adjourned until March 4, 2025.

In all of this, and at the risk of being accused of being the influencer of the disgrace inflicted on Mrs Alagwu, Mrs Ayeni sat through the proceedings in silent grace, recognising and respecting that the obligatory responsibility upon her as an honourable married wife to the man under cross-examination and her legitimately born children superseded every contrary perspective that the defendant and her young lawyers could hold.

Mr Ayeni, however, remains steadfast in his stance, maintaining that he has no ties to Mrs Alagwu and that he’s not the father of her child. The businessman has urged the court to expedite the matter and end what he describes as a campaign of blackmail and public deception.