Photo: OLAMIPOSI DANIEL · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in United States · Nationalities Nigerian, American — Music / family / legal proceedings / public policy / philanthropy

Davido

Music

Documented profile covering 9 controversies, including “2024–2026: joint custody action concerning Imade against Sophia Momodu, competing allegations and subsequent withdrawal” and “2026: renewed paternity controversy surrounding Anu Adeleke — Davido says multiple DNA tests were negative”.

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Profile No. 1933 · Updated on 12 October 2026

9Documented controversies

16Sources

0Formal charge · all time

0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

April 2024–February 2026

2024–2026: joint custody action concerning Imade against Sophia Momodu, competing allegations and subsequent withdrawal

Civil / administrative proceedings

Davido applied to the Lagos State High Court for joint custody and unrestricted access to his daughter Imade. Sophia Momodu disputed several statements in the application and raised her own complaints about the child's care. In February 2026, Davido ultimately withdrew the case.

Sources · 2

[1]
MyJoyOnline / Premium TimesDavido sues baby mama, Sophia Momodu, seeks joint custody of their childMediaHigh reliability
[2]
Premium TimesDavido drops Imade’s custody suit, condemns lawyers’ remarks on Ifeanyi’s deathMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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January 2026

2026: renewed paternity controversy surrounding Anu Adeleke — Davido says multiple DNA tests were negative

No legal proceedings

A teenager presented as a possible daughter of Davido publicly requested another DNA test. Davido replied that he had already undergone several tests at different facilities and that all had returned negative results.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Accused

Sources · 2

[1]
Premium TimesAlleged Babymama, daughter, Davido clash over paternity claimsMediaHigh reliability
[2]
Premium TimesDNA: ‘Anu isn't my grandchild; Kemi Olunloyo has been after my son for years’- Davido’s dad, Adeleke, allegesMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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January 2024

2024: Tiwa Savage petitions police alleging threats and harassment by Davido

Investigation

Tiwa Savage submitted a petition to the Lagos Commissioner of Police alleging that Davido had threatened her through mutual acquaintances after she posted a picture with Sophia Momodu. Police confirmed receiving the complaint and opening an investigation.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Accused

Sources · 2

[1]
The Guardian NigeriaPolice probe alleged threat against Tiwa SavageMediaHigh reliability
[2]
PunchLagos police look into Tiwa Savage’s petition against DavidoMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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June 2023

2023: Anita Brown claims pregnancy by Davido and accuses him of offering money for abortion

No legal proceedings

American woman Anita Brown publicly claimed to be pregnant by Davido, published screenshots presented as their exchanges and accused him of wanting to keep the matter private and offering money for an abortion.

Attribution: Accused

Sources · 2

[1]
The Guardian NigeriaDavido Caught Up In Alleged Paternity DramaMediaHigh reliability
[2]
PunchKnocks as US-based lady calls Davido out for impregnating herMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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17–20 November 2021

2021: viral "send me money" appeal for Rolls-Royce — criticism followed by donation of 250 million naira to orphanages

No legal proceedings

Davido publicly asked friends and fans to send him money, joking that the aim was to finance customs clearance for his Rolls-Royce. Hundreds of millions of naira quickly arrived, generating enthusiasm but also criticism of a wealthy artist soliciting money from his audience.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
The Guardian‘Send me money’: millionaire pop star Davido’s viral appeal nets £330,000MediaHigh reliability
[2]
Channels TelevisionN250m Donation: Davido Gives All To Orphanage HomesMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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November 2020

2020: criminal complaint targeting 50 #EndSARS supporters, including Davido — investigation ordered

Investigation

Davido was among 50 public figures named in a criminal complaint accusing #EndSARS supporters of contributing to unrest. An Abuja magistrate ordered a police investigation.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Accused

Sources · 1

[1]
Channels Television#EndSARS Protest: Court Orders Probe Of Sam Adeyemi, Davido, Aisha Yesufu, OthersMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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August–December 2018

2018: NYSC sanction and "de-kitting" for breaches of national service rules

No legal proceedings

After enrolling in the National Youth Service Corps, Davido left the camp and continued touring and political activities. NYSC sources indicated that he had been sanctioned and removed from his batch for several breaches, including leaving camp without permission, bringing a vehicle into camp, private activities and partisan participation.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
PunchNYSC sanctions Davido for violating service rulesMediaHigh reliability
[2]
PunchHow Davido travelled to seven countries, violated other NYSC bye-lawsMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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October 2017

2017: Tagbo Umeike's death — Davido questioned again after police identify inconsistencies, then cleared of involvement

Allegations

Following Tagbo Umeike's death, Lagos police stated that some investigative evidence and CCTV footage contradicted Davido's initial account of how he had learnt of the death. He was called in again for questioning.

State of the evidence: Documented

Sources · 2

[1]
The Guardian NigeriaPolice quiz Davido over friend’s death as CCTV footages emergeMediaHigh reliability
[2]
The Guardian NigeriaDavido Is Cleared Of All Murder Allegations By PoliceMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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December 2015–January 2016

2015–2016: dispute with Sophia Momodu over daughter's travel abroad and petition to NAPTIP

No legal proceedings

Sophia Momodu and her lawyers challenged plans for her daughter Imade to travel abroad with the Adeleke family and petitioned NAPTIP, raising concerns about potential abduction. The departure was blocked at the airport in the absence of maternal consent.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
PunchDavido’s lover petitions NAPTIP over daughterMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
Line width: number of documented references
Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (1)

Tiwa Savage1 documented reference
- 2024: Tiwa Savage petitions police alleging threats and harassment by Davido Source ↗

III. Has something changed?

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