Afrobeats star denies 12-year-old’s plea for DNA test
Afrobeats superstar Davido has once again made headlines following the leak of a private conversation where he adamantly denied being the father of a 12-year-old girl, Anuoluwapo Mitchell.
In the viral screen recording shared on Friday, January 16, 2026, the singer is seen rebuffing the child’s request for a fresh DNA test to establish her identity. The exchange, which reportedly took place via Instagram direct messages, shows Davido maintaining that he is not a member of the Adeleke family and threatening legal action against her mother.
The controversy resurfaced after Anuoluwapo made an emotional public appeal, detailing the psychological toll and bullying she has endured over the unresolved paternity claim. She requested a new test to finally settle the matter, stating that she wanted to establish her identity as she transitions into her teenage years. However, Davido responded by stating that he has already conducted five DNA tests at different hospitals, all of which allegedly returned negative results.
In the leaked messages, the singer appeared provoked by the persistent requests, allegedly writing, “Stop this nonsense. Keep playing and I will arrest your mother. Try this again. I’m not your father.” When the child clarified that the appeal was her own initiative and not her mother’s, Davido reportedly doubled down, telling her to “go and find your father” and insisting that he has never even met her mother, Ayo Labinjoh, whom he described as an “obsessed fan.”
Paternity saga sparks debate over celebrity privacy and child rights
The ongoing drama has divided fans and observers on social media, with many questioning the authenticity of the leaked screen recording. While Davido has not officially confirmed or denied the specific chat, his public posts on X (formerly Twitter) echo the same sentiments of frustration. On Thursday, he posted, “After 5 DNA tests… she dey crase… her and her mom better leave me the f#ck alone and go find her papa,” highlighting the intensity of the standoff between the music icon and the Labinjoh family.
Legal experts and child rights advocates have weighed in on the matter, noting the complexity of paternity disputes involving minors. Some argue that if five tests have truly been conducted and returned negative, the singer has every right to protect his privacy and brand from further harassment. Others, however, point to the emotional distress expressed by the child and suggest that a supervised, final test mediated by a neutral body might be the only way to permanently lay the rumors to rest.
Davido, who is known for being a doting father to his children Imade, Hailey, and Dawson, has maintained that he would never deny his own blood. He argued that the persistence of this specific claim is a targeted attempt at extortion and character assassination. The singer’s legal team is reportedly monitoring the situation, as he has hinted at taking “drastic measures” to stop what he perceives as a long-running smear campaign.
Impact on Davido’s brand amidst 2026 award season
This latest round of personal drama comes at a busy time for the singer, who is currently celebrating several AFRIMA wins and preparing for a major joint album release. Industry analysts suggest that while Davido’s core fanbase remains loyal, recurring paternity scandals can sometimes complicate high-value brand endorsements and international collaborations. Despite the noise, the singer appears focused on his career, though the “leaked chat” has undeniably dominated the entertainment news cycle this week.
The mother of the child, Ayo Labinjoh, has previously claimed that her daughter is the result of a brief relationship with the singer before his rise to global superstardom. She has consistently challenged the validity of the previous tests, alleging that the process was compromised. With the child now speaking out for herself, the situation has moved from a private dispute to a public spectacle that continues to capture the attention of Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.
As the story develops, many are waiting to see if there will be a formal legal intervention or if the singer will choose to ignore the matter entirely. For now, the “You’re not an Adeleke” statement remains a trending topic, serving as a stark reminder of the challenges that come with fame in the digital age. The Adeleke family has yet to issue an official collective statement on the matter, leaving the Afrobeats star to handle the controversy on his own terms.
