Billionaire businessman and philanthropist, Dr Deji Adeleke, has for the first time publicly addressed the long-standing paternity allegations involving his son, Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, and a young girl named Anuoluwapo.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Adeleke firmly denied claims that Davido fathered the child, accusing controversial social media commentator Kemi Olunloyo of sustaining the narrative for years through impersonation of both the child and her mother online.
The paternity controversy traces back to Ayo Labinjo, an Ibadan-based woman who alleged that she had an intimate relationship with Davido during one of his visits to the city several years ago, resulting in the birth of a baby girl, Anu, whom she claimed the singer later abandoned.
The issue recently resurfaced after an Instagram account, believed to be operated on behalf of the child, appealed to Davido to undergo another DNA test. The singer, however, responded by stating that five DNA tests had already been conducted, all of which reportedly ruled him out as the father.
Explaining why he decided to speak out, Adeleke said the recurring nature of the allegation left him with no choice but to address the public.
“I am Deji Adeleke, I’m the father of five children, three boys and two girls. David Adeleke, who you all know as Davido, is the baby of my family, he’s the last,” he said.
“I’m calling this press conference, and this is my very first time addressing the press, and for just one single reason. I’m not on social media, but I’m sure those of you on social media have been inundated with all kinds of talks about this issue that keeps coming up almost every year, regarding one little girl called Anuoluwapo, who lives in Ibadan, whom Kemi Olunloyo has continually alleged that David is the father of the little girl.”
“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.”
He said the grandmother, a widow, appealed to him to persuade Davido to take responsibility by submitting to a paternity test, stressing that her family was not seeking marriage or financial gain.
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“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,” Adeleke said.
“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.”
According to Adeleke, he immediately reached out to the family and assured them that he would gladly accept the child into the Adeleke family if she was proven to be his granddaughter. He said he personally arranged a DNA test at Vedic Lifecare Hospital in Lekki, Lagos, with samples sent to South Africa for analysis.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Adeleke explained that saliva samples were collected from Davido and the child in the presence of all parties involved, adding that both he and the child’s grandmother were designated to receive the results.
“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.”
He said the DNA report showed a zero per cent probability that Davido was 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.”
Despite the outcome, Adeleke said he personally recommended further tests to remove any lingering doubts and offered to cover all expenses, including accommodation for the family in Lagos.
“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.”
He noted that several tests were eventually conducted, all of which produced the same negative result.
Responding to demands that the DNA reports be made public, Adeleke declined, citing security and legal risks.
“It is dangerous for anyone’s DNA profile to be in the public domain,” he said, warning that such exposure could endanger both Davido and the minor involved.
Prompt News reports Adeleke stressed that his family had no reason to deny any child, noting that he already has 14 grandchildren.
“What is one more?” he asked. “Is it that I cannot afford to take care of her? But there is science. And science is clear.”
He concluded by urging the public to ignore what he described as misleading online narratives, insisting that the renewed controversy is driven by impersonation, misinformation, and false claims rather than facts.
