Davido’s Father Shuts Down Paternity Claims, Says DNA Tests Cleared Singer
Dr. Deji Adeleke, father of Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has addressed the long-standing paternity controversy involving his son, revealing that multiple DNA tests confirmed Davido is not the father of a girl identified as Aanu.
Speaking to journalists at his Lagos residence on Wednesday, the billionaire businessman disclosed that DNA tests conducted at different hospitals in Lagos conclusively ruled out Davido as the child’s biological father.
According to Adeleke, the issue first came to his attention in 2014, following a letter from a lawyer in Ibadan alleging that Davido had impregnated a woman, Ayo Labinjoh, and abandoned the resulting child. He said the claim immediately raised questions, particularly after reviewing documents attached to the letter.
“What caught my attention was the birth certificate attached. It listed the father’s name as Adeleke David and the mother’s name as Adeleke Ayotomide. How can the mother already bear the Adeleke name?” he queried.
Adeleke, who disclosed that he has 14 grandchildren, stressed that he has no issue welcoming more into his family—provided paternity is scientifically established.
“I want more grandchildren. If science proves that a child is my granddaughter, I will gladly accept her. But there is science—DNA,” he said.
He explained that three DNA tests were conducted on Davido. Two returned negative results, while the third was declared invalid due to sample contamination. To eliminate any confusion, tests were also carried out on Davido’s cousin, Adebayo Adeleke, popularly known as B-Red, which equally returned negative results.
Detailing the process, Adeleke said he personally facilitated the DNA test by arranging for the child, her mother, and grandmother to be transported from Ibadan to Lagos. Samples were taken at Vedic Hospital using saliva swabs, not blood, and sent to South Africa for analysis.
“When the result came back, it showed a zero percent possibility that Davido was the child’s father. A second test confirmed the same,” he said.
Despite the outcome, Adeleke revealed that he had supported the child and her mother financially, including sponsoring their education at the university, as requested by the family. He noted, however, that the mother eventually discontinued her studies, while the child completed primary school.
Read Also: “I’ve Done Five DNA Tests, I’m Not Your Father” — Davido Slams Fresh Paternity Claim
The controversy resurfaced on January 15, 2025, after an Instagram account allegedly linked to the child’s mother appealed to Davido, claiming the child had suffered bullying at school and requesting a DNA test. Davido publicly dismissed the claim on X (formerly Twitter), insisting that multiple DNA tests had already cleared him.
The situation further escalated after Labinjoh shared alleged private messages between Davido and the child. However, Adeleke claimed that a relative of the child later informed him that the social media accounts pushing the narrative were opened and managed by a media personality (Kemi Olunloyo) without the family’s authorisation.
The latest revelation appears to provide clarity on a dispute that has lingered for over a decade, placing renewed attention on the role of misinformation and social media amplification in celebrity controversies.