In a dramatic escalation of a long-standing paternity controversy, the mother of 13-year-old Anuoluwapo (commonly referred to as Anu Adeleke) has publicly broken her silence, vehemently denying derogatory labels and accusing Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, of years of neglect, insults, and direct bullying toward her daughter. Ms. Ayo Labinjoh, in a detailed statement shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) late Thursday, January 15, 2026, described the emotional toll the saga has taken on her child while challenging the singer's claims of multiple negative DNA tests.
The controversy, which first surfaced over a decade ago around 2013–2014, revolves around Labinjoh's assertion that she met Davido 13 years ago while working as a waitress at GQ Club in Ibadan, leading to a brief relationship that resulted in the birth of her daughter, Anu. Labinjoh emphasized her background, stating she comes from a respectable family—her late father was a dedicated public servant who worked for Nigeria's betterment before allegedly being poisoned—and rejected characterizations of her as a "prostitute" or "picked up on the streets."
"I’m NOT Davido’s baby mama or a bitch," Labinjoh wrote emphatically. "I am very protective of my daughter’s mental health after the level of bullying she went through for years. My daughter cried for days, fainted in school and went through psychotherapy." She explained that her family had largely moved on from the public scrutiny, but the issue resurfaced globally following recent social media activity, prompting her to speak out.
The renewed attention began earlier on January 15, 2026, when Anu, a tech-savvy and academically accomplished teenager, posted an emotional appeal on Instagram requesting a definitive DNA test from Davido to "establish my identity." In her message, Anu detailed years of school bullying where classmates mocked her claims about her paternity, leading to daily tears and emotional distress during her primary school years. Now transitioning into secondary school, she described maintaining silence about her family history to focus on her studies but insisted a clear resolution was necessary for her peace of mind.
Davido responded swiftly on X with a blunt and profane denial, stating: "After 5 DNA test… she Dey crase .. her and her mom better leave me the f*** alone and go find her papa." He claimed tests were conducted at five separate facilities—three chosen by him and two by the other party—all returning negative results, and declared it the "last time" he would address the matter.
Labinjoh directly countered these assertions, alleging that no legitimate DNA tests were ever properly conducted. She referenced a 2014 incident supervised by Davido's father, Dr. Deji Adeleke, where blood was drawn from Anu at a laboratory (not a hospital), allegedly discarded without testing, and replaced with falsified negative results. She named lab technician Wale Sobola (who posed as "Dr. Alex") and cited a past online confession from him—linked to connections with Nollywood actress Sotayo Gaga—where he admitted to discarding the sample due to personal regrets over the "wickedness."
She also criticized Davido's former lawyer, Prince Bobo Ajudua, for previously claiming two tests were done (one chosen by her side), describing it as misinformation that "brainwashed Nigerians." Labinjoh accused Davido of never meeting her personally yet subjecting her to insults, including labeling her a derogatory term despite the alleged tests.
The statement took a more serious turn when Labinjoh revealed that Davido had directly messaged her daughter that evening, allegedly threatening to have her (Labinjoh) locked up, cursing Anu, and engaging in repeated bullying. "David chatted my daughter tonight threatening to lock me up, cursing Anu and repeatedly bullying her," she wrote. She described the language as "awful" and emphasized that her daughter "did not beg to be here."
In a bold move, Labinjoh announced plans to involve international authorities, citing Davido's status as a U.S. citizen. "David is a US citizen. I will request the US State Department to contact the Embassy in Lagos or Abuja to help us supervise and witness a clean independent DNA test," she stated. This proposal aims to ensure transparency and neutrality in any future proceedings, drawing on protocols sometimes used in immigration-related paternity verifications where U.S. embassies oversee collections for official results.
The post has sparked widespread reactions on social media, with supporters praising Labinjoh for defending her child's right to identity and criticizing the public handling of the matter. Others have questioned the wisdom of airing family disputes online, especially involving a minor, while some highlighted the emotional impact on Anu and called for a resolution that prioritizes her well-being.
As of January 16, 2026, Davido has not issued a further public response beyond his initial statement, and no official comment has come from his representatives or family. The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has not commented on potential involvement, as such requests would typically follow formal channels.
This decade-long saga continues to highlight the complexities of celebrity personal lives intersecting with public scrutiny, mental health concerns for minors, and the quest for truth in paternity disputes. Both sides have expressed a desire to end the cycle of public claims, but Labinjoh's latest intervention suggests the matter may head toward more structured, potentially international, resolution.
The full statement from Ms. Ayo Labinjoh has been widely circulated online, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by families in high-profile controversies.
