Davido reunites with daughter after custody battle

Maureen Aguta

Music icon David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has joyfully reunited with his first daughter, Imade Adeleke, amid an ongoing custody battle with ex-partner, Sophia Momodu.

The Afrobeats star shared a photo with Imade on Instagram, calling it the “best day of my life”.

The reunion follows a contentious legal struggle that began in 2024, when Davido filed a lawsuit at the Lagos State High Court seeking joint custody or unrestricted access to his then nine-year-old daughter.

He accused Sophia Momodu, Imade’s mom of blocking his access to Imade, despite claiming to have met financial obligations, including covering school fees, providing vehicles for her transportation, and offering a N200 million apartment in Oniru, Victoria Island, which Momodu allegedly declined.

Sophia countered with a 102-paragraph affidavit, alleging that Davido abandoned his fatherly duties after their relationship ended in July 2022, particularly after she refused further sexual involvement.

She claimed responsibility for Imade’s expenses, including unpaid school fees, and argued that Davido’s lifestyle and frequent travels made him unsuitable for custody, referencing the tragic 2022 death of his son, Ifeanyi, as a concern for Imade’s safety.

Sophia’s uncle, veteran journalist Dele Momodu, addressed the dispute in a detailed Facebook post, revealing that the court had referred the case to alternative dispute resolution (ADR) for a potential out-of-court settlement.

He emphasised the need for both parties to prioritise Imade’s well-being and avoid damaging public rhetoric.

Momodu also noted that Davido’s father, Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, had stepped in to settle outstanding school fees and provide a car for Imade, addressing some financial disagreements.