Sophia Momodu vs. Davido: The Custody Battle Over Imade Adeleke

Nigerian singer Davido, whose real name is David Adeleke, is currently embroiled in a custody battle with Sophia Momodu, the mother of his first child, Imade Adeleke. The dispute centers around the safety and well-being of their daughter, with Sophia expressing concerns about Davido’s parenting abilities and lifestyle.

The conflict began when Davido filed a motion in the Lagos State High Court on April 17, 2024, seeking joint custody or unrestricted access to Imade. In his affidavit, Davido claimed that he had been fulfilling his paternal responsibilities, including paying Imade’s school fees, providing transportation, and even offering accommodation. He also alleged that Sophia had rejected a N200 million apartment he had purchased in a gated community, insisting that he continue to pay N5 million annually for a rented facility as his contribution towards Imade’s accommodation.

Sophia, however, responded by accusing Davido of abandoning their child for the past two years. She claimed that he had not seen Imade since July 2022 by his own choice and that she had never denied him the opportunity to see his daughter. Sophia further alleged that Davido had threatened her over her refusal to make herself available to him sexually and had refrained from fulfilling his financial obligations to Imade.

In a court hearing on July 5, 2024, Sophia’s legal team argued that Davido was unfit to have custody of Imade. They cited his busy international career, his lifestyle, and the fact that he had lost his son, Ifeanyi, in his house due to questionable circumstances as reasons why Imade’s safety could not be guaranteed with him.

The case has sparked a public debate, with some supporting Davido’s right to joint custody and others siding with Sophia’s stance on sole custody. The situation has been complicated by personal conflicts and public scrutiny, highlighting the challenges of high-profile custody disputes.