A Nigerian businessman, Stanley Abayeneme, is facing prosecution in Ireland after allegedly attacking a neighbour who, he claims, subjected him to sustained racial abuse, including leaving bananas outside his workplace and making monkey gestures.

Abayeneme, who operates a car valeting business in Tallaght, Dublin, recently sought an interim injunction in the High Court to stop Lithuanian national and neighbouring businessman, Vilmantas Zutkis, from directing racist insults at him. His application, however, was refused.

According to Irish outlet Sunday World, Abayeneme told the court that Zutkis repeatedly called him and his employee monkeys, mimicked monkey sounds, and left bananas at the entrance of his shop. He further alleged threats of deportation and intimidation in front of customers.

The Nigerian entrepreneur also accused their shared landlord, John McLaughlin, of obstructing his business by placing a 40-foot steel container in front of his unit. But McLaughlin’s lawyer countered that Abayeneme had already been served a notice to quit and was later caught on video attacking Zutkis with a stick, throwing a ladder, and spray-painting windows. That footage was reviewed by Justice Emily Egan, who ruled that Abayeneme had not approached the court “with clean hands,” leading to the refusal of his injunctions.

The court also heard that Abayeneme is facing criminal charges for allegedly breaking two windows in Zutkis’s workshop. While his injunction was denied, the broader legal proceedings are expected to continue this week.

This is not the first time Abayeneme has faced racially motivated violence in Ireland. In 2019, at age 22, he was brutally assaulted by three men while working at the same location. The attackers allegedly used tools to beat him unconscious while hurling racist insults, leaving him hospitalised with serious injuries.

Abayeneme insists his recent altercations stem from “rabid racism” and harassment that have undermined both his livelihood and personal safety.