Billionaire businessman and philanthropist, Dr Deji Adeleke, on Wednesday publicly addressed for the first time the long-running paternity controversy involving his son, Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, and a 12-year-old girl, Anuoluwapo.
Dr Adeleke dismissed claims that Davido is the biological father of the Ibadan-based child, describing the allegations as false and driven by misinformation, including alleged impersonation by controversial social media commentator, Kemi Olunloyo.
He disclosed that he has five children — three sons and two daughters — with Davido being the youngest, as well as 14 grandchildren, stressing that the family would not hesitate to accept another grandchild if a biological link were established.
“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 is the last,” he said.
Explaining his decision to speak publicly, Dr Adeleke noted that the recurring claims had circulated for years, particularly on social media, despite his personal absence from such platforms.
“This is my first time addressing the press, and it is for one reason. Almost every year, the same story resurfaces about a little girl called Anuoluwapo in Ibadan, with allegations that David is her father. These claims have been repeatedly promoted by Kemi Olunloyo,” he added.
He revealed that the controversy dates back to 2014, when he received a DHL package from Ibadan containing photographs of the child, a birth certificate bearing the name “Adeleke David” as the father, and a letter purportedly written by the child’s grandmother.
According to Dr Adeleke, the grandmother, a widow who single-handedly raised two daughters, requested a paternity test to establish the child’s parentage and responsibility, stressing that she neither sought marriage nor financial inducement.
“Tracing the matter back to its origin, Adeleke explained that he first became aware of the claim in 2014, when he received a DHL package from Ibadan containing photographs of Davido and the child, a birth certificate listing “Adeleke David” as the father, and a letter from the child’s grandmother.
“Also in the package was a letter from the grandmother of Anu, including her phone number. She wrote that she was a widow with two daughters, that she lost her husband years ago, and raised them alone.
“She said her eldest daughter informed her that David Adeleke was responsible for her pregnancy after meeting him when he came to Ibadan for a show. She said her daughter gave birth to a baby girl and asked that David step up for a paternity test. She stated clearly that she was not asking David to marry her daughter, only to confirm paternity and take responsibility if confirmed”, he added.
Dr Adeleke said he contacted the family immediately, assured them of support if confirmed, verified their address, and arranged a DNA test at Vedic Lifecare Hospital in Lekki, Lagos with saliva samples analysed in South Africa.
Samples were collected from Davido and the child in the presence of both families, sealed, and the results delivered jointly to him and the grandmother.
“Immediately I read the letter, even before speaking to David, I called the woman. I told her I hadn’t spoken to my son yet, but if the child was truly my granddaughter, she had no problem with me. I would welcome her into my family happily.
“I sent my driver to Ibadan to confirm where they lived. I told her about the hospital I use in Lekki, an Indian hospital, where DNA tests could be arranged. The hospital explained that samples would be taken in Nigeria but sent to South Africa for analysis.
“On the appointed day, my driver brought the mother, the grandmother, and the child to Lagos. David, myself, and his aide met them at the hospital. Only David, myself, the grandmother, the mother, and the child were allowed into the room. Samples were taken using saliva, not blood, and sealed for analysis”.
According to Adeleke, the outcome showed a 0.00 per cent probability of paternity, confirming that Davido was not the child’s father.
“When the results were ready, both the grandmother and I went to collect them together, as agreed. The result stated that the probability of paternity was zero percent. The lab explained clearly that David was not the father of the child”.
He stated that a total of five DNA tests have been conducted over the years, consistently ruling out paternity.
“The grandmother broke down and cried. I told her mistakes could happen and suggested we do two more DNA tests at other reputable centers. I offered to keep them in Lagos for a week at my expense so additional tests could be carried out”.
Dr Adeleke refused to release the DNA reports publicly, citing privacy, security risks from exposing genetic profiles, and potential harm to Davido and the minor.
“It is dangerous for anyone’s DNA profile to be in the public domain,” he said, adding that releasing such data could expose Davido and the minor to serious risks”, he added.
He urged the public to ignore misleading online stories driven by impersonation.
The controversy resurfaced recently when an Instagram post, purportedly from Anu, requested a DNA test to resolve identity issues, bullying, and emotional distress.
Davido responded that he had never met the mother, Ayo Labinjoh, called the claims obsessive, and referenced the negative tests.
He described harsh private exchanges in which he denied paternity and warned against continued harassment.
Ayo Labinjo has disputed the account, alleging only one test occurred in 2014 at a lab, not hospital, claiming blood was discarded and results fabricated, and calling for an independent test possibly supervised by the U.S. Embassy, given Davido’s U.S. citizenship.
Dr Adeleke concluded by emphasising the family’s goodwill and urging an end to the narrative.
