Nigeria, March 6 -- Tunde Ayeni, former chairman of the defunct Skye Bank, has accused his ex-mistress, Abuja-based lawyer Adaobi Alagwu, of blackmail after he discontinued the N5 million monthly allowance he had been giving her.

The claim was made before the Federal Capital Territory Customary Court in Dawaki, Abuja, on Tuesday, as the long-running paternity and marriage dispute between the two escalated.

The case, which has been ongoing since early February, centres on Ms Alagwu's claim that Mr Ayeni fathered her daughter, Omarosa, and was married to her.

However, Mr Ayeni has consistently denied both claims, stating that he was coerced into paying a dowry out of ignorance of Ms Alagwu's native law and customs.

He is now seeking a c...