PATERNITY SAGA: DAVIDO'S FATHER BREAKS SILENCE, 'I HAVE 14 GRANDCHILDREN'

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HOTJIST NEWS

In response to the long-running issue over DNA accusations concerning his son, Dr. Deji Adeleke, the father of Afrobeats singer David “Davido” Adeleke, stated that numerous paternity tests have definitively proven that the teenage girl at the center of the allegation is not Davido’s offspring.

The rich businessman stated that the Adeleke family went to considerable measures to confirm the allegation and would have accepted the child without hesitation if the results had shown otherwise during a news conference that went viral on Wednesday.

The controversy centres on Ayo Labinjo, an Ibadan-based woman who alleged she had sexual relations with Davido during one of his visits to the city early in his music career, resulting in the birth of a baby girl, Anu. She claimed the singer abandoned the child.

The problem reappeared lately after Davido was publicly urged to submit to another DNA test by an Instagram account purportedly belonging to the girl. In response, Davido said last week that he had already tested the girl’s DNA several times and that the results proved she was not his daughter.

After 12-year-old Anu Adeleke allegedly posted an open letter on social media, alleging she was being bullied at school because she did not know her father and urging Davido to publicly address the issue, the singer came out. Dr. Adeleke clarified at the press conference that the family would have welcomed her if paternity had been proven and had no intention of rejecting a kid. “My name is Deji Adeleke, and I am the father of five children—three boys and two girls,” Adeleke stated.

The last child in my family is David Adeleke, better known by his stage name Davido. “There is just one reason why I am convening this press conference—this is my first time speaking to the media.

I do not use social media, but I am sure those of you who do have been inundated with discussions about this issue, which comes up practically every year, involving a young girl named Anuoluwapo who lives in Ibadan. Kemi Olunloyo has consistently claimed that David is the girl’s father.

Adeleke traced the issue back to its source, claiming that he first learned of the accusation in 2014 after receiving a DHL delivery from the child’s grandmother.

According to him, the grandmother, a widow, appealed for a paternity test, stressing that she was not seeking marriage or financial gain.

“Also in the package was a letter from the grandmother, 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.”

Adeleke said he immediately contacted the family and personally arranged a DNA test at Vedic Lifecare Hospital in Lagos, with samples analysed in South Africa.

“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.”

He explained that saliva samples were taken from Davido and the child in the presence of all parties, with both himself and the grandmother 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.”

Adeleke said the results showed a zero per cent probability of paternity.

“The DNA profile is clear. DNA will not change even if it is done ten times,” he said.

“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 per cent. The lab explained clearly that David was not the father of the child.”

He added that despite the outcome, he personally suggested additional tests to eliminate any doubt, offering to cover accommodation and logistics 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 centres. I offered to keep them in Lagos for a week at my expense so additional tests could be carried out.”

According to Adeleke, multiple DNA tests were eventually conducted, all yielding the same result.

Addressing calls for the DNA reports to be released publicly, he declined, citing security and legal concerns.