“No Back-Door Deals” — Ex-Banker Tunde Ayeni Rejects Out-Of-Court Settlement In Adaobi Alagwu Dispute

Ex banker, Dr. Tunde Ayeni, has said he will not agree to any proposed out-of-court settlement from a former friend, Ms. Adaobi Alagwu, insisting that he will let the court case run its course.

In a statement on Monday, Ayeni said that Alagwu has made settlement approaches through “back-door channels,” but that he is determined to pursue the matter to its conclusion in court. Ayeni stated that his primary concern is the restoration of his reputation, which he says has been severely damaged by the controversy and that he is committed to seeking full legal redress publicly.

The businessman dismissed suggestions that he would accept an out-of-court settlement, arguing that doing so would undermine the gravity of the accusations and the harm the controversy has inflicted on him, his family, and loved ones. He said that Ms Alagwu’s proposed settlement may have been influenced by her alleged pending marriage, though he stated such considerations didn’t influence his decision.

“I am aware that recent reports have emerged regarding lawyer Adaobi Alagwu’s decision to pursue an out-of-court settlement in the ongoing dispute. I confirm that through back-door channels, Alagwu has indeed made overtures towards settling this matter outside the courtroom. This development, I must say, was unexpected given the significant public attention and embarrassment it has garnered, together with the reputational damages it has inflicted on me, my family, and my loved ones.

“It is evident that Alagwu’s pursuit of a settlement may have been influenced by her alleged pending marriage. However, I must emphasize that such motivations hold no significance for me. My primary concern remains the restoration of my reputation, which has been severely impacted negatively by this controversy. Despite these attempts, I am resolute in my decision to reject any private offers for settlement. The allegations have caused severe damage to my reputation publicly, and I am committed to seeking full legal redress publicly. Accepting a private settlement would undermine the gravity of the accusations and the harm they have inflicted on my person, my family, loved ones, and their sense of trust in me,” Ayeni said.

The former banker appealed to his friends and associates to refrain from getting involved in anything concerning Ms Alagwu. He said he no longer considers even the mention of her name as a friendly gesture, and that he now regards same as a personal insult to him.

He said: “Adaobi, her mother, or any member of her family are no longer a subject matter outside the litigations pending in court. No one should act as intermediaries to reach me on this matter, please. As emphasised before now, I plan to testify in open court on the 25th of November 2025, and on the 17th of February 2026, God-willing, and I expect her presence in court, rather than avoiding the proceedings as she did at the customary court. I have maintained complete transparency on this matter since the beginning of this unfortunate saga. I acknowledge the role I have played in this situation and I am actively working to move past it, trusting in the justice system to uphold the truth as encouraging an out-of-court settlement will give credence to their usual postulation that I am being influenced to pursue this case, because they feel that I am not a man of my own convictions, which is absolutely untrue.”

Ayeni had in an exclusive interview with Daily Sun referred to his relationship with Ms. Alagwu as “one of the darkest moments” of his life. He said while the relationship lasted, he provided support including regular maintenance payments and accommodation which she and her mother occupied. Their relationship broke down after Alagwu had a child and attempted to establish Ayeni as the father. However, Ayeni insists he was never the father and describes her efforts as a “desperation to pin the child” on him.

The matter was taken to court and on March 11, 2025, the Magistrate’s Court in Dawaki, Abuja, ruled that there was no marital relationship between Ayeni and Alagwu and that he is not responsible for her child. The forthcoming court dates are set for November 25, 2025, and February 17, 2026, where Ayeni said he plans to testify.

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