Amanze Chinonye
Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, father of Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has provided fresh details on the long-running paternity dispute involving a minor, Mitchelle Anuoluwapo, insisting that multiple DNA tests conducted over the years conclusively ruled out his son as the child’s biological father.
Dr. Adeleke, who spoke during a press briefing in Lagos, also alleged that controversial media personality Kemi Olunloyo impersonated the child and her mother on social media, using the accounts to promote paternity claims and raise money an action he questioned the legality of, given that it involved a minor.
According to him, the family first became aware of the paternity claim in 2014 after he received a courier package from Ibadan, Oyo State, containing photographs of the child, a birth certificate bearing Davido’s name, and a letter from the girl’s grandmother requesting a DNA test.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelHe said the family immediately opted for a scientific resolution, stressing that they were prepared to accept responsibility if evidence established Davido as the child’s father. He explained that DNA testing was arranged through recognised medical channels, with samples analysed abroad due to capacity limitations at the time.
Dr. Adeleke said the first DNA test showed a zero per cent probability of paternity, effectively excluding Davido as the biological father. He added that following objections from the child’s family, additional tests were conducted at different medical facilities to eliminate doubt, all of which reportedly produced the same result.
He mentioned that Kemi Olunloyo allegedly suggested that B-Red, Davido’s cousin and namesake, could be the child’s father. According to Dr. Adeleke, B-Red was also tested to rule out any possibility of a close biological relation, with results similarly excluding a familial link.
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Addressing the renewed public attention generated by the child’s recent social media post, Dr. Adeleke alleged that Kemi Olunloyo had persistently accused Davido of being the girl’s father across various online platforms, pushing what he described as a sustained negative narrative against the singer.
“Kemi Olunloyo has continually alleged that David is the father of the little girl. I’m not even sure if it’s legal for someone to impersonate a minor,” he said. “This Kemi Olunloyo has been after my son David for many years. Everything she says about David is always negative, trying to put him in a bad light with the public.”
Dr. Adeleke further claimed that a relative of the child’s mother, who resides in Abuja, contacted him to clarify that neither the child, her mother, nor their family operated the social media account making the paternity claims. According to him, the family member stated that the account was being run by Olunloyo, with whom they had severed ties years earlier, and apologised for any embarrassment caused to the Adeleke family.
He read out a message he said he received from the relative, in which she denied managing the account and said efforts had been made to stop Olunloyo from posting about the child.
Dr. Adeleke also disclosed that the child’s mother and grandmother were present during one of the DNA testing processes, with the grandmother co-signing to receive the results. He said the test again showed a zero per cent probability of paternity.
He added that the grandmother later accused Davido of bribing hospital staff to tamper with the DNA samples, an allegation he described as baseless and unsupported by evidence.
Despite the negative DNA findings, Dr. Adeleke said his family offered humanitarian support to the child, including assistance with education and welfare, stressing that such gestures were made out of compassion and not an admission of paternity.
The controversy resurfaced publicly on Thursday, 15 January 2026, after 12-year-old Mitchelle Anuoluwapo appealed via Instagram for a DNA test to establish her identity, citing years of bullying and emotional distress linked to the unresolved claim.
Davido responded by insisting the matter had already been settled, stating that he had undergone five DNA tests at different medical facilities, all of which returned negative results. He also denied having any relationship with the child’s mother beyond the DNA testing process.
While the child’s family continues to dispute aspects of the Adeleke family’s account, no court-ordered DNA test or independently released laboratory report contradicting the claim that Davido is not the child’s father has been made public as of the time of reporting.
The paternity dispute, which has resurfaced intermittently over the past decade, remains unresolved in the court of public opinion, though the Adeleke family maintains that the issue has been conclusively settled based on available scientific evidence.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
