Deji Adeleke, father of singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has said multiple DNA tests conducted by the family showed that a teenage girl at the centre of a paternity claim is not his son’s child.
Mr Adeleke spoke during a press briefing on Wednesday, where he addressed the allegation involving a girl identified as Anuoluwapo, whose family has claimed that Davido is her father.
The issue resurfaced after a social media account said to belong to the girl appealed to Davido to submit to another DNA test. Davido had earlier stated that several DNA tests had already been conducted and that the results excluded him as the child’s father.
At the briefing, Adeleke said the family would have accepted the child if the tests had shown otherwise.
“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 last,” he said.
“I’m calling this press conference for one reason. I’m not on social media, but I know that this issue keeps coming up almost every year regarding one little girl called Anuoluwapo, who lives in Ibadan, whom Kemi Olunloyo has continually alleged that David is the father of.”
Tracing the origin of the allegation, Adeleke said he became aware of the claim in 2014 after receiving a package from Ibadan.
“I received a DHL package containing pictures of David and the child, a birth certificate where ‘Adeleke David’ was written as the father, and a letter from the grandmother,” he said.
According to Adeleke, the grandmother appealed for a paternity test and stated that she was not seeking marriage or financial benefit.
“She wrote that she was a widow with two daughters and that her eldest daughter told her David was responsible for the pregnancy after meeting him when he came to Ibadan for a show,” he said.
“She asked that David step up for a DNA test. She made it clear she was not asking David to marry her daughter, only to confirm paternity and take responsibility if confirmed.”
Adeleke said he contacted the family and arranged a DNA test at Vedic Lifecare Hospital in Lagos, with samples sent to South Africa for analysis.
“Immediately I read the letter, even before speaking to David, I called the woman,” he said.
“I told her that if the child was truly my granddaughter, I would welcome her into my family.”
He said saliva samples were taken from Davido and the child in the presence of all parties.
“Only David, myself, the grandmother, the mother, and the child were allowed into the room. Samples were taken using saliva and sealed for analysis,” he said.
Adeleke said the result showed a zero percent probability of paternity.
“When the results were ready, both the grandmother and I went to collect them together,” he said.
“The result stated that the probability of paternity was zero percent. The lab explained clearly that David was not the father of the child.”
He added that he suggested additional tests to remove any doubt.
“I told the grandmother that mistakes could happen and suggested we do two more DNA tests at other centres,” he said.
“I offered to keep them in Lagos at my expense so the tests could be done.”
According to him, further tests were conducted and all produced the same result.
“The DNA profile is clear. DNA will not change even if it is done ten times,” Adeleke said.
Addressing calls for the DNA reports to be released publicly, Adeleke declined.
“It is dangerous for anyone’s DNA profile to be in the public domain,” he said.
He said the family had no reason to deny a child.
“I already have 14 grandchildren. What is one more?” he said.
“Is it that I cannot take care of her? But there is science, and science is clear.”
Adeleke also denied claims by social media personality Kemi Olunloyo that she was close to his family.
“She says she was my wife’s best friend. How can that be? I have never met her,” he said.
He urged the public to disregard online narratives surrounding the issue.
