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In a candid and no-holds-barred interview granted recently in Lagos, former Skye Bank Chairman and seasoned businessman, Dr. Tunde Ayeni, opened up for the first time about the long-simmering controversy involving Adaobi Alagwu. Speaking with unflinching honesty, Ayeni didn’t just reflect on that regrettable episode—he laid bare the personal, legal, and emotional toll it took on his life.
But the interview went far beyond tabloid drama. From his journey through law and banking, to the collapse of Skye Bank, to his encounters with the EFCC and lessons from betrayal, Ayeni’s voice was one of a man seeking clarity, closure, and, ultimately, redemption.
On His Early Life and Legal Background
Born to civil servant parents, Ayeni’s early education was shaped by constant relocations—from Kaduna to Yola, and eventually back to his hometown in Kogi State. He attended Baptist Secondary School in Iyah Gbede and later completed his HSC at Kwara State College of Technology (now Kwara Polytechnic). He studied Law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and furthered his legal education at the Nigerian Law School and University of Lagos.
“Law has always been my foundation,” he said. “Even while venturing into business, I never stopped practicing. I still run active law offices in both Lagos and Abuja.”
From Legal Practice to Business and Banking
Ayeni’s shift into business began after youth service when he joined a multinational firm. As personal assistant to the CEO, Rodney Hecksher, he gained intimate exposure to the world of corporate negotiations and deal-making.
“I learned early that funding is the lifeblood of business,” he explained. “That’s what led me to establish a bank—not as an employee, but as a co-founder and board member.”
He served as a non-executive director of Bond Bank Nigeria Ltd, which merged into what later became Skye Bank PLC. Ayeni eventually rose to chairman in 2011, during a period of massive growth for the bank.
Despite the bank’s eventual collapse, he remains adamant that its failure wasn’t due to mismanagement. “There’s politics in everything,” he noted. “Regulatory decisions aren’t always about performance. Sometimes, licenses are simply withdrawn, and that’s that.”
Skye Bank’s Collapse: What Really Happened?
Ayeni offered limited but pointed insight into the fall of Skye Bank. “Most non-executive directors only see what the executives want them to see. Loans are sometimes designed to fail from inception, and directors sign off based on misleading information,” he explained.
He maintained that governance issues and regulatory rigidity, not mismanagement, led to the bank’s license being revoked. “Someday, the real story will be told,” he said. “But I can confidently say, we ran that bank well.”
On Adaobi Alagwu: “A Regrettable Chapter”
Addressing the long-standing controversy with Adaobi Alagwu, Ayeni spoke bluntly and without hesitation.
“I regret ever meeting her,” he stated. “That period of my life was a dark one, and I wish it never happened. I tried to handle it privately to protect my family and reputation, but when someone chooses blackmail and social media warfare, you have to fight back.”
He described the relationship as one-sided and manipulative, claiming he extended financial support and even housing out of goodwill, which was later used against him.
“She and her mother are people I now see clearly for who they are—desperate, shameless, and manipulative. That chapter is permanently closed in my life.”
Court Verdict and Legal Steps
Ayeni referenced a March 11, 2025, ruling from the Magistrate Court in Dawaki, Abuja, which declared that he had no legal or biological ties to Adaobi’s child.
“I was never the father. Her attempt to pin that on me failed in court. Now, I’m in the process of recovering my properties that she and her mother have refused to vacate. They’ve been served court notices. It’s only a matter of time.”
Hard Lessons Learned
“This whole ordeal has taught me to be far more cautious,” he admitted. “You must choose your circle wisely. These types of entanglements offer temporary pleasure but come with long-term destruction.”
Ayeni also noted the emotional impact on his family: “My wife and children stood by me. I came clean with them, and together, we’ve moved forward.”
On EFCC Investigations and Public Rumors
On his reported encounters with the EFCC, Ayeni was clear: “I’ve never been a public officeholder. I’ve never held assets for anyone or hidden any wealth. Everything I own is legally acquired.”
He confirmed two past EFCC investigations: one linked to the late DSP Alamieyeseigha (which cleared him of wrongdoing), and the second involving expenditures during the acquisition of Mainstreet Bank.
“Even that matter has been resolved. No asset of mine is under investigation or seizure,” he said. “People like to gossip, but I stay focused on my work.”
Final Word
“I have no business with Adaobi Alagwu again—legally, emotionally, or otherwise,” Ayeni concluded. “Let my ordeal be a warning: choose your relationships wisely. Reputation, family, and legacy are more valuable than any fleeting excitement.”
