A businessman, Dr. Tunde Ayeni, has filed a legal action before an Abuja Customary Court against an Abuja-based lawyer , Ms Adaobi Alagwu, following alleged paternity dispute over a child given birth to by Adaobi.
Tunde Ayeni is denying the paternity of the baby girl, saying that he is not the father of the said child referred to as “X” in the suit.
When the matter came up on Tuesday, lawyer to Ayeni , Silas Onu applied to withdraw the earlier suit on the grounds of improper service.
Following the striking out of the first suit, Onu informed the court that a fresh petition had been filed before the court based on the same subject and same properly served on Adaobi
Lawyer to Adaobi also confirmed receipt of service of the suit and apologized to the court for the absence of Adaobi in court.
He further stated that Adaobi is still within time to file her defence .
At this point, the court asked Adaobi’s lawyer whether he is denying that the sum paid by Ayeni to Adaobi family has not been refunded to the complainant.
The lawyer, however, answered that the said money has been refunded but added they are yet to file their defence.
Adjourning the matter, the court stressed that Adaobi should serve all the process of her reply on the complainant and that parties should be in court at the next adjourned date for trial .
The court later adjourned the matter till February 17 for the hearing of the suit.
