Billionaire businessman Tunde Ayeni has initiated a fresh legal battle, this time dragging Adaobi Alagwu and her mother before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court to recover two high-end properties in the capital city that belong to him but which he claims they are “shamelessly still occupying.”

The suit, marked FCT/HC/CV/1282/2025, seeks to repossess two properties located at DD38, Lakeview Estates, off Alex Ekwueme Way, Abuja, and No. 48, Mike Akhigbe Street, Jabi, Abuja; residences which Mr Ayeni says were part of his past efforts to “help with accommodation” when he was trying to manage what he now describes as one of the darkest moments of his life.

Speaking for the first time at length on the issue in an exclusive media interview, Mr Ayeni did not mince words, saying: “When people refer to her as my ex-mistress, I hate to even hear it because it’s one of the darkest moments of my life. I regret ever meeting that lady… Initially, I was trying to manage the entire episode to protect my family, reputation and legacy but it quickly became obvious to me that I was dealing with a lowlife who will go to any length to take advantage and blackmail me with the support of her family.”

Mr Ayeni described the mother-daughter pair as “nasty and desperate individuals” who have proven themselves willing to blackmail, manipulate, and exploit for material gain.

“I did not want anything that could negatively affect my image when checks are being cleared out,” Mr Ayeni explained, referencing how business reputations are scrutinised globally. “Unfortunately, characters like this lady know this and they take advantage of that, believing that people like me cannot come out like them on social media platforms. However, sometimes, it gets to a point where, as a man, you just have to come out and fight your battle.”

With the March 11, 2025 judgment from the Customary Court in Dawaki, Abuja, clearly ruling that there was never a marriage between Mr Ayeni and Adaobi, and affirming that he is not the father of her child, Ayeni appears determined to close the saga once and for all.

“They’ve been served the legal notice to immediately vacate my properties,” Mr Ayeni said. “If the family has any iota of respect and dignity for themselves, do I need to tell them before they vacate my houses?”

Reflecting on the series of actions he’s taken, including affidavits, letters to the immigration office, press disclaimers, and multiple cease-and-desist letters, Mr Ayeni described the ordeal as one that has left deep scars.

“I was trying to manage the situation, doing things that ordinarily I shouldn’t have done, like providing maintenance, even helping with accommodation. Those things that I did out of the goodness of my heart were used to blackmail me.”

Despite the chaos, Mr Ayeni credited his family, especially his wife and children, for standing by him: “Even though my actions were not permissible, they understood and together we’ve been able to weather the storm.”

As the legal proceedings move forward, Mr Ayeni’s message is clear: he’s no longer protecting reputations at the cost of his dignity.

“Sometimes when people feel insulted, they can use 1 million naira to fight to recover 10,000 Naira, not because you cannot overlook it, but because if people think you are stupid, you have to prove to them that you are not. I can promise you that she and her mother will not succeed to continue shamelessly living in and enjoying my properties,” he said.