Billionaire businessman and philanthropist, Dr Deji Adeleke, has publicly addressed for the first time the long-running paternity controversy involving his son, Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, dismissing the claims as false and malicious.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Adeleke accused controversial social media commentator, Kemi Olunloyo, of sustaining the allegations for years through online impersonation of the child and her family.
The controversy centres on Ayo Labinjo, an Ibadan-based woman who alleged that she had an affair with Davido during one of his visits to the city, resulting in the birth of a baby girl, Anuoluwapo. The claim, which resurfaced recently following renewed calls for a DNA test, has trailed the singer for over a decade.
Adeleke said he first became aware of the allegation in 2014 after receiving a DHL package from Ibadan containing photographs, documents and a birth certificate listing “Adeleke David” as the child’s father, alongside a letter from the child’s grandmother.
According to him, the grandmother, a widow, appealed for a paternity test, stressing that she was neither seeking marriage nor financial gain, but clarity and responsibility if Davido was confirmed as the father.
Moved by the request, Adeleke said he personally intervened and arranged a DNA test at Vedic Lifecare Hospital in Lagos, with samples analysed in South Africa. Saliva samples were taken from both Davido and the child in the presence of all parties, with both families agreeing to jointly receive the results.
He disclosed that the outcome showed a zero per cent probability of paternity, ruling out Davido as the child’s father.
Despite the result, Adeleke said he proposed additional DNA tests to eliminate any lingering doubt, offering to cover accommodation and logistics for the family while they remained in Lagos. He noted that several tests were eventually conducted at different centres, all returning the same negative outcome.
Addressing demands for the DNA reports to be released publicly, Adeleke declined, citing security and legal risks associated with making DNA profiles public, particularly those of a global celebrity and a minor.
The businessman 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.”
Adeleke urged the public to ignore online narratives surrounding the issue, insisting they are driven by impersonation, misinformation and social media manipulation rather than facts.
