Davido Hints at Leaving Custody of Daughter Imade to Her Mother Amidst Legal Dispute

David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, and his baby mama, Sophia Mmodu

Award-winning artist David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has suggested he may leave his first child, Imade, in the custody of her mother, Sophia Momodu, following a recent legal dispute.

Momodu recently filed a counter-affidavit claiming that Davido is unfit to raise their daughter. She argued that his home environment is unsafe for a young girl, citing the tragic death of Davido’s son, Ifeanyi, in 2022 as evidence.

The affidavit, which has surfaced on social media, states, “The applicant cannot take proper care of our daughter because he lives a controversial lifestyle (negative media attention) that will expose our daughter to more negative trauma at her tender age. The applicant, in his role as an artiste, always travels and allows many unsavoury male adults around him and his house, who will not be a good influence on an impressionable young female child like our daughter.”

It continues, “The applicant disagreed with child therapy as the applicant has been estranged from our daughter for a while. Safely and sustainably establishing a meaningful presence in our daughter’s life is paramount. The applicant is married to another woman, and they live together. The proper upbringing of our daughter by another cannot be guaranteed. The fact that the applicant lost his son in his house in rather unfortunate and questionable circumstances shows that our daughter cannot be placed in the custody of the applicant.”

Responding on social media platform X.com, Davido expressed how the death of his son haunts him daily and criticized Momodu for bringing it up. He wrote, “Your constantly bringing up the death of my child at any point you can to just remind us of this tragedy that haunts us every day of our lives.”

Davido also hinted at relinquishing custody, stating that Imade will see how he fought for her when she grows up. “Imade will grow up to see I fought for her. As for now, you can have her. P.S: she won’t be a child forever. Enjoy, Imade Aurora Adeleke! Your father loves you! All I asked for was ‘joint custody’ but cus it’s Davido yall wanna act like yall can’t read! SMH I’m off this … yall be blessed and I pray this never happens to you.”

According to PUNCH, Davido had previously taken Momodu to court seeking custody of their daughter, claiming he had been responsible for Imade’s education, housing, transportation, living expenses, health care, and periodic travel.

In response, Momodu released a statement alleging that since their relationship ended in July 2022, Davido had refused to contact their child or provide emotional and financial support. She insisted that she had never denied him the opportunity to see Imade and claimed he had not seen her since July 2022 by his own choice.