A protracted paternity dispute involving Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, professionally known as Davido, and 12-year-old Anuoluwapo Mitchelle has intensified following the emergence of private messages in which the singer allegedly threatened to have the child’s mother, Ayo Labinjoh, arrested for what he described as persistent harassment.
The leaked chat, posted late Thursday on Anuoluwapo’s Instagram account, which is co-managed by her mother, appears to show exchanges from a verified account bearing Davido’s name. However, as of the time of this report, the “Unavailable” singer has neither confirmed nor denied the authenticity of the conversation.
The latest development marks a significant escalation in a dispute that has periodically resurfaced over the past decade, drawing public attention to questions of celebrity accountability, DNA testing protocols, and the emotional toll such controversies exact on minors caught in the centre of high-profile paternity claims.
According to the screen recording circulated online, the exchange began after Anuoluwapo sent a direct message to the singer requesting a fresh DNA test to establish her paternity. The 12-year-old had earlier made a public appeal, stating she had endured “mental anguish” and bullying due to the unresolved question of her parentage.
In the purported chat, Davido is shown responding firmly to the appeal. “Stop this nonsense. Keep playing, and I will arrest your mother. Try this nonsense again. I’m not your father,” the message reads.
When Anuoluwapo clarified that her mother was not involved in her personal outreach, the singer reportedly maintained his position, citing a history of negative DNA test results. “I am not your father. Go and find your father. This is the last time. I’m warning. I have done 5 DNA tests. You’re not mine. Please stop this nonsense before it gets messy,” the message continues.
Davido, who had earlier addressed the matter publicly on Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter, reiterated his denial of paternity, insisting that he had never met Labinjoh and that five separate DNA tests had all returned negative results. He stated that his father, prominent businessman Adedeji Adeleke, had compelled him to undergo the previous tests, adding, “Adeleke’s, we don’t play about blood on this side!”
During the exchange captured in the leaked chat, Anuoluwapo pressed the singer to provide evidence of the five DNA tests he referenced. Davido reportedly responded by breaking down the sequence of tests conducted over the years.
“Yes, I will show you, 5. Two of the hospitals were chosen by your mother. Two were chosen by me. All negative. 4 tests. Then 1 test 10 years. That’s 5. You’re not my child,” the message reads.
The singer also expressed frustration over the ongoing nature of the claims and their impact 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. Please, stop it,” he reportedly wrote.
Davido further indicated his intention to make the test results public and pursue legal action against Labinjoh. “Don’t worry, I will publish them tomorrow and in the newspaper. I will publish online and in newspaper. Then I will take your mom to court. She thinks it’s a game. Just watch. She will go to jail,” the chat reportedly shows.
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When Anuoluwapo requested the names of the hospitals where the alleged tests were conducted, Davido declined to provide them directly, stating that the information would be evident in the published results. “It will show in the tests. You don’t worry. I’m not your dad. Sorry,” he wrote.
He reportedly concluded the exchange by stating, “You’re not my child. We will publish everything. Warn your mother. You’re not an Adeleke. I’m sorry. You can also go to the hospitals and confirm for yourself.”
Following the circulation of the leaked messages, both Anuoluwapo and her mother responded publicly, accusing the singer of bullying, issuing threats, and disseminating false information. Labinjoh questioned Davido’s claims regarding the number of tests conducted and characterised his public statements as attempts at “bullying” and “brainwashing.”
In a significant development, Labinjoh announced her intention to seek the involvement of the United States State Department to oversee a fresh, independent DNA test. She cited Davido’s American citizenship as a basis for requesting diplomatic intervention in the matter, a move that could potentially internationalise what has thus far remained a domestic controversy.
The dispute has attracted considerable attention on Nigerian social media, with opinions sharply divided. Some commentators have expressed sympathy for Anuoluwapo, highlighting the psychological impact of public paternity disputes on children and questioning why the matter has remained unresolved for over a decade. Others have defended Davido’s right to protect his reputation and family from what they view as unfounded claims, particularly if multiple DNA tests have indeed returned negative results.
Paternity disputes involving public figures are not uncommon in Nigeria’s entertainment industry, though few have involved such prolonged public exchanges or direct communication with a minor claimant. Legal experts have previously noted that Nigerian family law generally favours DNA testing as the definitive method of establishing paternity, and courts routinely order such tests when paternity is contested.
However, the circumstances under which previous tests were allegedly conducted in this case remain unclear, including whether they followed internationally recognised chain-of-custody protocols and were conducted at accredited laboratories. Such details are crucial in ensuring that test results are legally admissible and free from tampering or administrative errors.
The involvement of a 12-year-old child in such a public dispute has also raised concerns about the welfare of minors in high-profile controversies. Child rights advocates have previously cautioned that exposing children to protracted legal battles and public scrutiny can have lasting psychological effects, regardless of the eventual outcome.
Davido, born in Atlanta, Georgia, to a Nigerian family, rose to prominence in the early 2010s and has since become one of Africa’s most commercially successful artists. His family background, as the son of billionaire business magnate Adedeji Adeleke, has often been a subject of public interest, with the Adeleke name carrying significant social and political weight in Nigeria, particularly in Osun State, where Davido’s uncle, Ademola Adeleke, currently serves as governor.
The singer has four publicly recognised children from previous relationships and has been open about his commitment to his family. He married his long-time partner, Chioma Rowland, in 2024, following the tragic loss of their son, Ifeanyi, in 2022.
