Nigeria, Nov. 24 -- Nigerian businessman Tunde Ayeni has rejected an out-of-court settlement proposal allegedly initiated by lawyer Adaobi Alagwu, insisting that the ongoing dispute between them must run its full course in court.

In a statement on Monday, Mr Ayeni confirmed that Ms Alagwu made what he described as "back-door overtures" aimed at resolving the matter privately.

The move, he said, was surprising given the public controversy the case has generated and the reputational damage he claims to have suffered.

"I confirm that through back-door channels, Alagwu has indeed made overtures towards settling this matter outside the courtroom," Mr Ayeni said. "This development, I must say, was unexpected given the significant public atte...