Aramide Yusuf v. Edison Ilunga, Blue Moon Hookah Lounge, LLC, and Starfish Title Agency, LLC

Yusuf v. Ilunga · District Court of Appeal of the State of Florida, Fourth District · November 19, 2025 · No. 4D2024-1454

Summary

The Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal reversed a final judgment against Aramide Yusuf and remanded with instructions to dismiss the third-party complaint for lack of personal jurisdiction. The court held that the complaint did not allege that Yusuf committed a tortious act in Florida under Florida's long-arm statute, because the alleged conduct occurred in Texas between Texas residents. The court also rejected jurisdiction based on injury from a separate Florida transaction, vague conspiracy allegations, or the tracing of funds to Florida.

Holdings

  1. The complaint did not sufficiently allege that Yusuf committed a tortious act in Florida or that Ilunga's claims arose from tortious conduct in Florida. Because the alleged contribution and fraudulent-inducement conduct occurred in Texas, and mere injury in Florida or the Florida origin of the funds was insufficient, Florida lacked personal jurisdiction over Yusuf.

Questions Presented

  1. Whether Ilunga's third-party complaint sufficiently alleged that Yusuf committed a tortious act in Florida under section 48.193(1)(a)2., Florida Statutes, so as to establish specific personal jurisdiction.

Disposition

reversed_and_remanded

Cases Cited (8)

  • International University of Health Sciences Ltd., Inc. v. Abeles, 299 So. 3d 405, 408 (Fla. 4th DCA 2020)(followed)
  • Guarino v. Mandel, 327 So. 3d 853, 860-61 (Fla. 4th DCA 2021)(followed)
  • Hunt v. Cornerstone Golf, Inc., 949 So. 2d 228, 230 (Fla. 4th DCA 2007)(followed)
  • Kaminsky v. Hecht, 272 So. 3d 786, 788 (Fla. 4th DCA 2019)(followed)
  • Metnick & Levy, P.A. v. Seuling, 123 So. 3d 639, 645 (Fla. 4th DCA 2013)(followed)
  • Wendt v. Horowitz, 822 So. 2d 1252, 1260 (Fla. 2002)(followed)
  • Reiss v. Ocean World, S.A., 11 So. 3d 404, 406-07 (Fla. 4th DCA 2009)(followed)
  • NHB Advisors, Inc. v. Czyzyk, 95 So. 3d 444, 448 (Fla. 4th DCA 2012)(followed)

Cited In (0)

No citing cases on record yet.

Court Document

Open PDF
Loading document…