A long-running paternity controversy involving Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, resurfaced on Thursday after a 12-year-old girl, Mitchelle Anuoluwapo, publicly appealed for a DNA test to confirm whether the singer is her biological father.
In an emotional post shared on Instagram, the teenager detailed the psychological toll the unresolved claim has taken on her life, revealing that she has endured years of bullying and emotional distress over the allegation.
According to Anuoluwapo, the ordeal began when she was six years old, as classmates mocked her whenever she claimed Davido was her father.
“This year I become a teenager. My mom and grandma have always educated me on being a responsible teen — no drugs, alcohol, bad company and bad behaviour,” she wrote. “As I grow older, I want to establish my identity.”
She recounted returning home from school in tears after being ridiculed by peers. “Other students laughed at me when I told them my father was Mr David Adeleke,” she said.
The teenager also disclosed that the controversy took a toll on her mental health, prompting her to seek professional support.
“I went through a lot of mental anguish and visited a medical professional to protect my mental health. It was a sad and challenging time in my life,” she wrote, adding that the Instagram account had remained inactive for five years due to the emotional strain on her family.
As she transitions into adolescence, Anuoluwapo made a direct appeal to the music star. “I am respectfully asking Mr David Adeleke, Singer #Davido, for a DNA test to establish my identity. This test is between my dad and I. It is something I want. It is the right thing to do,” she said, noting that she had also sent the request via direct message.
She thanked Nigerians who had offered her emotional support over the years, insisting that the DNA test would bring her closure.
Davido, however, dismissed the renewed claim, stating that the matter had long been settled. Responding in the comment section of the post, the singer categorically denied being the girl’s father, claiming that multiple DNA tests had already disproved the allegation.
“I’ve taken five DNA tests, all negative. I am not your father,” Davido wrote. “Never met your mom. She’s an obsessed fan lying to you. This needs to stop. I actually have children. Stop this nonsense.”
The singer later took to X (formerly Twitter) to further express his frustration, stating that the tests were conducted at different medical facilities.
“After five DNA tests… she dey craze. Her and her mom better leave me alone and go find her papa,” he posted.
In subsequent posts, Davido accused the girl’s mother of misconduct and suggested she should face legal consequences, while expressing sympathy for the child.
“I don’t blame the poor girl,” he wrote, alleging that he had never had any relationship with the mother outside the DNA testing process.
Davido maintained that he selected three hospitals for testing while the girl’s family chose two others, stressing that all results were negative. He concluded by stating that he would no longer address the issue publicly.
“This is the last time I’m speaking on this nonsense,” the singer said.
