Billionaire businessman and philanthropist, Dr Deji Adeleke, has publicly denied claims that his son, Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, is the biological father of a 12 year old girl identified as Anuoluwapo from Ibadan.
Speaking to the media for the first time on the long running controversy, Dr Adeleke described the allegations as false, misleading, and repeatedly recycled, largely through social media narratives. He dismissed the claims as products of misinformation and alleged impersonation, particularly linking their resurgence to reports associated with controversial online commentator Kemi Olunloyo.
Dr Adeleke explained that he is the father of five children, three sons and two daughters, with Davido being the youngest. He added that he currently has 14 grandchildren and stressed that the family has never opposed acknowledging any child genuinely linked to them.
According to him, the family would willingly accept another grandchild if a biological relationship is scientifically established. However, he insisted that no credible proof has ever been provided to support the paternity claims involving Davido.
“I am Deji Adeleke. I have five children, three boys and two girls. David Adeleke, known to all as Davido, is the youngest in our family,” he said.
Explaining why he chose to speak publicly now, Dr Adeleke said the allegations have resurfaced almost every year since 2014, despite his personal decision to stay away from social media. He noted that the repeated circulation of the story has continued to attract public attention and misrepresentation.
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He disclosed that the matter first came to his attention in 2014 when he received a DHL package from Ibadan. According to him, the package contained photographs of the child alongside Davido, a birth certificate listing “Adeleke David” as the father, and a letter purportedly written by the child’s grandmother.
Dr Adeleke said the letter stated that the grandmother was a widow who raised her two daughters alone and claimed that her eldest daughter became pregnant after meeting Davido during a visit to Ibadan. He added that the grandmother requested a paternity test to confirm the child’s parentage, stressing in the letter that she was not seeking marriage or financial assistance.
The businessman maintained that despite the seriousness of the allegation, no verifiable evidence has ever been produced to establish Davido’s paternity. He reiterated that the family remains open to truth and due process, but will continue to reject what he described as unproven and damaging claims.
