The paternity dispute between Afrobeats superstar Davido and 12-year-old Anuoluwapo Mitchelle, who claims to be his daughter, has significantly escalated following recent public statements and the release of a leaked online chat. The controversy centers around the legitimacy of DNA tests and allegations of abandonment and harassment.

Davido had publicly stated that all five DNA tests conducted on Anuoluwapo (also known as Aanu Adeleke) showed she is not his biological daughter. He further claimed he had never met the girl’s mother, Ayo Labinjoh, whom he referred to as a “bitch” during his public address. This firm denial came after Aanu sent an open letter to the musician, demanding a paternity test.

Amidst the ongoing dispute, Ayo Labinjoh broke her silence, sharing a statement on her daughter’s Instagram page. She revealed that she met Davido at HQClub and accused the singer of abandoning her because he mistakenly believed she was a prostitute. Labinjoh vehemently countered Davido’s DNA claims, detailing that Davido’s father, Dr. Deji Adeleke, took them to a “LAB not a hospital” in 2014. According to Labinjoh, Aanu’s blood was drawn for a test but then “discarded behind our backs,” and a “fake result was printed.” She identified Wale Sobola, a lab technician who posed as “Dr Alex,” as the individual who later confessed to never performing the test and discarding the blood, blaming the act for his life’s troubles. Labinjoh expressed her distress, stating that their time was wasted, Anu’s mental health was disrupted, and they were lied to about the number of tests conducted, from two to now five, along with Davido’s claim of never having met her. She asserted, “I’m not fighting for my daughter. My daughter is fighting for her identity.”

The dispute intensified further with the appearance of a leaked chat, purportedly between Davido and Anuoluwapo, on Anuoluwapo’s Instagram page, which is co-managed by her mother. In the alleged conversation, Davido reportedly threatened to have Ayo Labinjoh arrested for ongoing “harassment.” He reiterated his denial of paternity, allegedly warning, “Stop this nonsense. Keep playing, and I will arrest your mother. Try this nonsense again. I’m not your father.” When Anuoluwapo clarified that her mother was not involved in her personal appeal, Davido reportedly doubled down, stating, “I am not your father. Go and find your father. This is the last time. I’m warning. I’ve done five DNA tests. You’re not mine. Please stop this nonsense before it gets messy.”

Anuoluwapo asked for the results of these tests, to which Davido allegedly replied, “Yes, I will show you. Five. Two of the hospitals were chosen by your mother. Two were chosen by me. All negative. Four tests. Then one test 10 years. That’s five. You’re not my child.” Expressing profound frustration at the prolonged dispute, he reportedly added, “You guys have been harassing me for years, and it has to stop. It’s not fair on my actual kids. Please, stop it.” Davido allegedly indicated his intention to make the matter public and pursue legal action, threatening: “Don’t worry, I will publish them tomorrow and in the newspaper. I will publish online and in newspaper. Then I will take your mom to court. She thinks it’s a game. Just watch. She will go to jail.” When Anuoluwapo inquired about the hospital names, he reportedly responded, “It will show in the tests. You don’t worry. I’m not your dad. Sorry. You’re not my child. We will publish everything. Warn your mother. You’re not an Adeleke. I’m sorry. You can also go to the hospitals and confirm for yourself.”

In response to these threats and denials, Ayo Labinjoh announced her intention to request the US State Department to contact the Embassy in Lagos or Abuja. Her goal is to secure supervision and witnessing of a “clean independent DNA test,” citing Davido’s US citizenship. She condemned Davido’s alleged bullying of her daughter and the use of offensive language, asserting, “My daughter did not beg to be here. Saying you’ve never met me or telling your family that I was a prostitute is wrong. Bullying my daughter is WRONG.” While the leaked chat quickly went viral, Davido has not officially confirmed its authenticity.