By Yinka Giwa
Nigerian billionaire businessman, Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, has publicly addressed the long-running paternity controversy involving his son, music star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, and a girl identified as Anu, insisting that repeated DNA tests confirmed the singer is not the child’s biological father.
Speaking at what he described as his first-ever press briefing in Lagos on Wednesday, Adeleke said he decided to speak out after the issue resurfaced once again on social media, despite scientific evidence that had settled the matter years ago.
The controversy centres on Anuoluwapo Mitchelle, whose mother, Ayo Labinjoh A., has for several years claimed that Davido fathered her child, an allegation the singer has consistently denied. Adeleke said the family first became aware of the claim in 2014 after he received a letter from a lawyer in Ibadan alleging that Davido had impregnated a woman.
According to him, the child’s maternal family subsequently requested a DNA test, prompting his direct intervention. Adeleke said he immediately contacted the woman involved and assured her that if the child was truly his granddaughter, she would be fully accepted into the Adeleke family.
“Immediately I read the letter, even before speaking to David, I called the woman. I told her I had not 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,” he said.
Adeleke disclosed that he personally arranged a DNA test at a hospital he uses in Lekki, noting that the samples were sent to South Africa because the hospital did not conduct DNA testing locally. He said he made his position clear to Davido at the time, telling him that the outcome would determine the family’s next steps.
“I told him I don’t want to know anything. If this girl is our child, I will take her,” he said.
He said the result of the first test showed a 0.00 per cent match, adding that the child’s grandmother reportedly broke down in tears after hearing the outcome. Adeleke said he then suggested additional tests to remove all doubt.
“The grandmother broke down and cried. I told her mistakes could happen and suggested we do two more DNA tests at other reputable centres,” he said.
According to Adeleke, saliva samples were collected and DNA tests were eventually conducted at four different hospitals, all of which returned negative results, confirming that Davido was not the biological father of the child.
He further alleged that despite the results, the child’s grandmother later sought the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, arguing that Davido had previously given financial support and that the child’s light complexion should have been sufficient proof without the need for DNA testing.
Addressing the role of social media in keeping the controversy alive, Adeleke accused activist Kemi Olunloyo of repeatedly resurrecting the issue and portraying his son negatively. He read out a message he said he received from the child’s maternal aunt, who claimed that Olunloyo allegedly runs Anu’s Instagram account and continued posting about the matter despite having no communication with the family.
Adeleke accused the activist of exploiting the situation for financial gain and alleged that she published the DNA profiles of both Davido and the child. He said the family would be pursuing legal action over the publication of the test results.
Despite the DNA findings, Adeleke revealed that he has continued to support both the child and her mother financially. He said Anu’s aunt, a scientist, approached him not as a family member but in recognition of his longstanding commitment to education through his Springtime Foundation.
“She told me she knew I had helped many people go to school. I asked about the girl’s school fees and sent a little more than required so she could buy a computer and other essentials,” he said, noting that although he has never met the aunt, she had been responsible and appreciative.
Adeleke disclosed that he currently sponsors no fewer than 3,000 students under his scholarship scheme. He added that he also enrolled Anu’s mother at Adeleke University under a mature students’ programme, provided accommodation and paid her a monthly stipend of ₦50,000. However, she reportedly dropped out in her second year despite performing well academically.
“Her records show she was doing well until she left. The opportunity remains open if she wishes to return,” he said.
He further stated that he had offered to enrol Anu at Adeleke High School on scholarship if the family returned, an offer he said was not taken up. Adeleke also claimed that a family doctor later informed him that Anu’s mother had confided that she had slept with another man in Ibadan around the same period, but that the man allegedly refused to submit to a DNA test because he was married.
Adeleke maintained that while science had clearly resolved the paternity question, he chose to continue offering educational support out of compassion, stressing that the matter should no longer be distorted or sensationalised.