Dr Deji Adeleke, billionaire businessman and father of Nigerian music star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has publicly addressed long-standing paternity claims involving his son, describing them as “unnecessary” and unsupported by scientific evidence.
At a press conference, Adeleke said multiple DNA tests have conclusively shown that a 12-year-old girl, Anuoluwapo, alleged to be Davido’s daughter, is not biologically related to the singer.
The controversy centres on claims by an Ibadan-based woman, Ayo Labinjo, who has maintained that she had a sexual relationship with Davido during one of his visits to the city several years ago, resulting in the birth of her daughter. The issue resurfaced recently after Anu, via an Instagram page, appealed to Davido to undergo a fresh DNA test to confirm her paternity.
Reacting at the time, Davido stated that five DNA tests had already been conducted, all of which returned negative results.
Addressing the matter for the first time, Dr Adeleke said he felt compelled to speak due to recurring online narratives and misinformation.
“I am Deji Adeleke. I am the father of five children — three boys and two girls. David Adeleke, who you all know as Davido, is the baby of the family,” he said.
“I’m calling this press conference for just one reason. This issue keeps coming up almost every year, about a little girl in Ibadan, whom some people keep alleging that David is her father.”
Adeleke disclosed that he first became aware of the allegation after receiving a DHL package from Ibadan. According to him, the package contained photographs of Davido and the child, a birth certificate listing “Adeleke David” as the father, and a letter from the child’s grandmother.
“The grandmother wrote that she was a widow, that her eldest daughter told her David Adeleke was responsible for her pregnancy after meeting him when he came to Ibadan for a show,” Adeleke said.
“She was clear that she was not asking David to marry her daughter or extort money, but to confirm paternity and take responsibility if confirmed.”
He said he immediately contacted the family and assured them that he would gladly accept the child into the Adeleke family if proven to be his granddaughter.
“Even before speaking to David, I told her that if the child was truly my granddaughter, I would welcome her happily,” he said.
Adeleke explained that he personally arranged a DNA test at Vedic Lifecare Hospital in Lekki, Lagos, with samples analysed in South Africa. He said saliva samples were taken from Davido and the child in the presence of all parties, including the child’s mother and grandmother.
“Only David, myself, the grandmother, the mother and the child were allowed into the room. Samples were taken using saliva, sealed, and sent out for analysis,” he said.
According to him, the results showed a zero per cent probability of paternity.
“The result stated clearly that David was not the father of the child. The probability of paternity was zero percent,” Adeleke said.
Despite the outcome, he said he encouraged further testing to eliminate any doubt, offering to cover accommodation and logistics for the family in Lagos. He noted that additional DNA tests were eventually conducted at other reputable centres, all yielding the same conclusion.
“I told the grandmother that mistakes can happen and suggested we do two more DNA tests. Every single one came back negative,” he added.
Addressing calls for the DNA reports to be made public, Adeleke declined, citing security and legal concerns.
“It is dangerous for anyone’s DNA profile to be in the public domain. That exposes both David and a minor to serious risks,” he said.
He stressed that Davido has never denied responsibility for any of his children and that the family had no reason to deny a child.
“I have 14 grandchildren already. What is one more? Is it that I cannot afford to take care of her? But there is science, and science is clear,” Adeleke said.
The businessman concluded by urging the public to ignore what he described as misleading online narratives driven by impersonation and misinformation, while maintaining that the child deserves to know her biological father.
