By Ghazali Ibrahim
Afrobeats music star, David Adeleke popularly known as Davido, is at the centre of a renewed paternity controversy after a teenage girl publicly appealed for a DNA test to confirm whether he is her father.
The saga has gained significant attention on social media and in entertainment news across Nigeria.
The girl, Mitchelle Anuoluwapo (Anu) Adeleke, who is about 12 years old, posted an emotional message on Instagram on 15 January 2026, in which she described enduring years of bullying and ridicule at school over the long-standing claim that Davido is her father.
In the message, she said the emotional strain led her to seek professional support and appealed directly to the singer for a DNA test “to establish my identity.”
However, Davido has firmly denied the claim, responding publicly on social media that he is not her father, and stated that multiple DNA tests have already been conducted.
According to the singer, a total of five DNA tests, three selected by him and two by the alleged daughter’s side were carried out at different medical facilities, and all returned negative results.
In a post on X, Davido expressed his frustration with the continued claims, writing:
“After 5 DNA tests … she dey crase … her and her mom better leave me the f**k alone and go find her papa …”
He also described his interactions with the girl’s mother as limited to the DNA-testing process and denied any personal relationship with her beyond that. The singer threatened possible legal action if the matter continues, insisting his family has been unfairly dragged into the dispute.
The girl’s mother, Ayo Labinjoh, has consistently maintained that the results of DNA tests were disputed and challenged their legitimacy. She has claimed in earlier statements that the testing process was compromised and has called for an independent, supervised DNA test, potentially involving international oversight.
The controversy has divided public opinion, with some users on social media calling for a definitive DNA test to resolve the identity questions and others arguing that such personal matters involving a minor should be handled privately rather than in the public sphere.
