January 21, (THEWILL) — Dr Adedeji Adeleke, father of Afrobeats star, Davido, has publicly addressed claims that his son fathered a 12-year-old girl, Anuoluwapo, during a press briefing on Wednesday.
The long-running paternity controversy resurfaced last week after an Instagram appeal by Anu, calling on Davido to undergo another DNA test. The renewed attention prompted Adeleke to speak publicly on the matter for the first time.
Adeleke said the family had conducted multiple DNA tests to determine whether Davido is the child’s father. According to him, five separate tests carried out at reputable facilities all returned negative results.
“The DNA profile is clear. DNA will not change even if it is done ten times”, he stated, stressing that science had resolved the issue.
He explained that when the claims first emerged around 2014, he received a package from Ibadan containing a birth certificate, photographs allegedly linking Davido to the child, and a letter from the child’s grandmother.
In the letter, the grandmother said her daughter became pregnant after meeting Davido during a show in Ibadan. She appealed for a paternity test, stressing that she was not seeking marriage or financial gain, but confirmation of paternity and responsibility.
Adeleke said he immediately contacted the family and assured them that he was willing to accept the child if the claim was proven.
“If the child were truly my granddaughter, I would welcome her into my family happily”, he said.
According to him, samples taken in Lagos were analysed abroad, and the results showed zero percent probability of paternity. Despite this, Adeleke said he encouraged further testing and covered travel and accommodation costs for additional DNA tests, all of which confirmed the same outcome.
Adeleke dismissed calls for the DNA reports to be made public, citing privacy and security concerns.
“It is dangerous for anyone’s DNA profile to be in the public domain”, he said, noting the risks involved for both Davido and the minor.
Dr Adeleke also addressed the “Anu Adeleke” Instagram account at the centre of the recent appeal. He alleged that the account is operated by controversial journalist, Kemi Olunloyo, not the child, and described her involvement as a deliberate campaign of misinformation and harassment.
“I never met her. She is a stranger to our family”, Adeleke said, dismissing Olunloyo’s claims of being close to the Adelekes.
Despite the negative DNA results, Adeleke revealed that he had been financially supporting Anu’s education out of compassion, a fact he said Davido was unaware of.
He stressed that the Adeleke family would have accepted the child if scientific evidence had shown she was their own.
Adeleke concluded by stating that the family has reached its limit and will no longer tolerate what he described as defamation, adding that the medical evidence on the matter remains final. He stressed that the Adeleke family would have accepted the child if science had shown she was their own.
He concluded by stating that the family has reached its limit and will no longer tolerate what he described as defamation, stressing that the medical evidence remains final.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
