Deji Adeleke Denies Davido Fathered 12-year-old Anu, Blames Kemi Olunloyo in Emotional Press Conference

Femi Ashekun/

Billionaire businessman and philanthropist, Dr Deji Adeleke, has denied claims that his son, Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, fathered a 12-year-old girl named Anuoluwapo, insisting that multiple DNA tests conclusively ruled out paternity.

Adeleke made the clarification on Wednesday while addressing journalists for the first time on the long-running controversy, which he described as emotionally draining and repeatedly resurrected through misinformation.

He blamed the persistence of the allegations on controversial social media commentator, Kemi Olunloyo.

The paternity claim centres on Anuoluwapo, whose mother, Ayo Labinjo, has alleged that she had sexual relations with Davido during one of his visits to Ibadan several years ago, resulting in the child’s birth.

The issue resurfaced recently after an Instagram account purportedly belonging to the child appealed to the singer to submit to another DNA test.

Davido responded by stating that five DNA tests had already been conducted over the years, all of which returned negative results.

Explaining why he decided to speak publicly, Adeleke said the issue “keeps coming up almost every year,” despite what he described as clear scientific evidence.

“I am Deji Adeleke. I’m the father of five children, three boys and two girls. David Adeleke, who you all know as Davido, is the baby of my family. I am calling this press conference for just one reason. I am not on social media, but I know many of you have been inundated with stories about one little girl called Anuoluwapo, whom Kemi Olunloyo has continually alleged that David is the father of,” he said.

Adeleke traced the origin of the controversy to 2014, when he received a DHL package from Ibadan containing photographs of Davido with the child, a birth certificate listing “Adeleke David” as the father, and a letter from the child’s grandmother requesting a paternity test.

According to him, the grandmother made it clear she was not seeking marriage for her daughter, but only confirmation of paternity and responsibility if the claim proved true.

He said he immediately contacted the family and assured them that the child would be fully accepted if proven to be his granddaughter.

“Even before speaking to my son, I called the woman and told her clearly that if the child was truly my granddaughter, I would welcome her into my family happily,” he said.

Adeleke disclosed that he personally arranged a DNA test at Vedic Lifecare Hospital in Lagos, with samples analysed in South Africa. Saliva samples were taken from Davido and the child in the presence of all parties involved.

“When the results were ready, the grandmother and I went together to collect them, as agreed. The report stated that the probability of paternity was zero percent. The laboratory explained clearly that David was not the father of the child,” he said.

Despite the outcome, Adeleke said he encouraged additional tests to remove all doubt, offering to bear the cost and accommodate the family in Lagos while further tests were conducted.

He said multiple DNA tests were eventually carried out at other reputable centres, all producing the same conclusion.

He declined calls for the DNA reports to be made public, citing legal and security concerns.

“It is dangerous for anyone’s DNA profile to be in the public domain. Releasing such information could expose my son and the minor to serious risks,” he said.

Adeleke also revealed that he recently received a message from Anuoluwapo’s aunt, who distanced herself, her sister, and their mother from the renewed controversy.

According to him, she stated clearly that the family was no longer involved in the matter and blamed its current resurgence solely on Kemi Olunloyo.

“She sent me a message saying they have cut all ties with Kemi Olunloyo for a long time and that whatever is happening now is not coming from them,” Adeleke disclosed.

Rejecting suggestions that the Adeleke family was attempting to evade responsibility, he said financial capacity was never an issue.

“What is one more child? Is it that I cannot afford to take care of her? But there is science. And science is clear,” he stated.

He concluded by urging the public to disregard what he described as misleading online narratives fuelled by impersonation and false representation.

“We have nothing to gain from denying a child. The only purpose of this press conference is to clarify the truth. The story circulating online is false and should be disregarded,” he said.

There is currently no court ruling on the matter, and no fresh legal proceedings have been initiated, as the family maintains that the scientific evidence already obtained is definitive.