Nigerian businessman Adedeji Adeleke, father to singer David Adeleke, professionally known as Davido, on Wednesday, addressed the long-running paternity controversy involving his son and a girl identified as Anu.

The issue centres on Mitchelle Anuoluwapo, a girl whose mother, Ayo Labinjoh A, has for years claimed that Davido is her biological father, a claim the singer has consistently denied. 

Speaking to the media in what he described as his first-ever press briefing, Mr Adeleke said he was compelled to speak after the issue resurfaced once again on social media. 

He said allegations concerning the child had repeatedly surfaced over the years, largely driven by activist Kemi Olunloyo, whom he accused of consistently portraying his son in a negative light.

Mr Adeleke said the family first became aware of the matter in 2014 after he received a letter from a lawyer in Ibadan alleging that Davido had impregnated a woman. 

He said he later received communication from Ms Anu’s maternal family requesting a DNA test.

“Immediately I read the letter, even before speaking to David, I called the woman. I told her I hadn’t spoken to my son yet, but if the child was truly my granddaughter, she had no problem with me. I would welcome her into my family happily,” he said.

According to him, he personally intervened by arranging a DNA test at a hospital he uses in Lekki, explaining that the samples were sent to South Africa because the hospital did not conduct DNA testing locally.

He said he made his position clear to Davido at the time. “I told him I don’t want to know anything. If this girl is our child, I will take her,” he said.

Mr Adeleke said the test result returned a 0.00 per cent match, adding that the child’s grandmother reportedly broke down upon hearing the outcome. 

“The grandmother broke down and cried. I told her mistakes could happen and suggested we do two more DNA tests at other reputable centres,” he said.

He said the tests were run by collecting their saliva samples, and they were conducted at four different hospitals, which also returned negative results.

Mr Adeleke also alleged that the child’s grandmother later approached the Ooni of Ife to intervene, arguing that Davido had previously given money and that the girl’s light complexion should have been enough proof without the need for DNA testing.

Addressing social media posts linked to the controversy, Mr Adeleke read out a message he said he received from Ms Anu’s maternal aunt, who mentioned that Ms Olunloyo allegedly runs Ms Anu’s Instagram account. 

In the message, the aunt apologised for any embarrassment caused and claimed the activist had continued posting about the matter despite having no communication with the family.

He alleged that Ms Olunloyo used the situation to make money and accused her of publishing the DNA profiles of Davido and the child. 

Mr Adeleke said the family would be taking legal action over the publication.

The billionaire also said he had supported Ms Anu’s mother in the past, including enrolling her at Adeleke University, although she reportedly left after two years. 

He said he also offered to enrol the child at Adeleke High School if the family returned, but claimed the offer was not taken up.

Mr Adeleke added that a family doctor later told him Ms Anu’s mother had confided that she had slept with another man in Ibadan around the same period, but the man allegedly refused to submit to a DNA test because he was married.