A long-running paternity dispute involving Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, and a 12-year-old girl, Anuoluwapo Mitchelle, has escalated following the circulation of alleged private messages in which the singer is said to have threatened legal action against the child’s mother, Ayo Labinjoh.
The messages, which surfaced late Thursday via Anuoluwapo’s Instagram account—co-managed by her mother purport to show exchanges from a verified account bearing Davido’s name. In the chat, the singer is alleged to have warned that Labinjoh could be arrested for what he described as persistent harassment. As of the time of filing this report, Davido has neither confirmed nor denied the authenticity of the messages.
The latest development marks a renewed flashpoint in a controversy that has periodically resurfaced for more than a decade, raising broader questions around celebrity accountability, the handling of disputed DNA evidence, and the psychological impact of prolonged public disputes on minors.
According to a screen recording widely circulated on social media, the exchange began after Anuoluwapo sent a direct message to Davido requesting a new DNA test to conclusively determine her paternity. The child had earlier made a public appeal in which she said she had suffered emotional distress and bullying due to the unresolved status of her parentage.
In the alleged exchange, Davido is shown responding firmly, denying paternity and warning against further contact. “Stop this nonsense. Keep playing, and I will arrest your mother… I’m not your father,” the message reads.
After Anuoluwapo stated that her mother was not involved in her decision to reach out, the singer reportedly reiterated his stance, citing multiple negative DNA test results. “I have done five DNA tests. You’re not mine. Please stop this nonsense before it gets messy,” another message states.
Davido has previously addressed the matter publicly on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), maintaining that he has never met Labinjoh and that five separate DNA tests—conducted over several years—returned negative results. He said his father, businessman Adedeji Adeleke, insisted on the tests, adding emphatically that the Adeleke family takes matters of lineage seriously.
In the purported chat, Anuoluwapo pressed the singer to provide evidence of the tests. Davido allegedly responded by outlining the sequence of examinations, claiming that four were conducted at hospitals selected by both parties and that an earlier test was carried out a decade ago.
“Yes, I will show you—five tests. Two hospitals chosen by your mother, two by me. All negative,” the message reads.
The singer also expressed frustration over the duration of the dispute and its effect on his recognised children. “You guys have been harassing me for years, and it has to stop. It’s not fair on my actual kids,” he reportedly wrote.
Davido further indicated that he intended to publish the test results publicly and pursue legal action against Labinjoh. He reportedly declined to provide the names of the hospitals involved, stating that such details would be evident once the documents were released.
Following the circulation of the messages, Anuoluwapo and her mother issued public responses accusing the singer of intimidation, bullying, and spreading misinformation. Labinjoh questioned Davido’s account of the number of tests conducted and described his statements as attempts at coercion and public manipulation.
In a notable development, Labinjoh announced plans to seek the involvement of the United States State Department to oversee a new, independent DNA test. She cited Davido’s American citizenship as grounds for requesting diplomatic oversight, a move that could internationalise a dispute that has so far remained within Nigeria’s public and legal sphere.
The controversy has sparked intense debate across Nigerian social media platforms. While some commentators have expressed concern for the child’s mental wellbeing and questioned why the matter remains unresolved after more than a decade, others have defended Davido’s right to protect his family and reputation, particularly if multiple DNA tests have indeed returned negative results.
Paternity disputes involving public figures are not uncommon within Nigeria’s entertainment industry. However, few cases have involved such prolonged public engagement or direct communication with a minor claimant. Legal experts note that Nigerian courts typically regard DNA testing as the definitive method for resolving paternity disputes and routinely order such tests where claims are contested.
In this case, however, questions remain about the circumstances under which the previous tests were allegedly conducted, including whether they adhered to internationally recognised chain-of-custody standards and were performed at accredited laboratories—factors critical to legal admissibility and public confidence.
The public involvement of a minor has also raised child welfare concerns. Child rights advocates have long warned that sustained exposure to legal conflict and online scrutiny can have lasting psychological consequences for children, irrespective of the outcome.
Davido, who was born in Atlanta, Georgia, rose to prominence in the early 2010s and is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most successful music artists. He is the son of billionaire businessman Adedeji Adeleke and the nephew of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke. The singer has four publicly acknowledged children and married his long-time partner, Chioma Rowland, in 2024, two years after the death of their son, Ifeanyi.
