Deji Adeleke Breaks Silence on Davido’s Long-Running Paternity Allegation
Billionaire businessman and philanthropist, Dr. Deji Adeleke, on Wednesday, spoke publicly for the first time about the long-running paternity controversy involving his son, Afrobeats singer David Adeleke (Davido), and a young girl, Anuoluwapo.
Speaking at a press conference, Adeleke dismissed the paternity claim as false and accused controversial commentator Kemi Olunloyo of allegedly impersonating the child and her mother online for years to keep the allegations alive.
“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, he’s the last,” he said.
“I’m calling this press conference, and this is my very first time addressing the press, and for just one single reason… this issue that keeps coming up almost every year, regarding one little girl called Anuoluwapo… whom Kemi Olunloyo has continually alleged that David is the father.”
Adeleke traced the matter back to 2014, saying he first became aware of the allegation after receiving a package from Ibadan containing photographs, documents, and a birth certificate listing “Adeleke David” as the child’s father.
He said the package also included a letter from the child’s grandmother, who appealed to him to persuade Davido to submit to a paternity test.
“She wrote that she was a widow with two daughters… She stated clearly that she was not asking David to marry her daughter, only to confirm paternity and take responsibility if confirmed,” Adeleke said.
According to him, he immediately reached out to the family and assured them he would accept the child if she was truly his granddaughter.
“Immediately I read the letter… I called the woman… But if the child was truly my granddaughter, she had no problem with me. I would welcome her into my family happily,” he stated.
Adeleke said he arranged a DNA test at a hospital in Lagos and that samples were collected from Davido and the child in the presence of all parties.
“The hospital explained that samples would be taken in Nigeria but sent to South Africa for analysis,” he added.
He further disclosed that both he and the child’s grandmother were listed to receive the test results.
