Sophia Momodu Accuses Davido of Neglecting Their Daughter Imade Adeleke for Two Years
Sophia Momodu has accused Afrobeat star Davido of neglecting their daughter, Imade Adeleke, for the past two years. Momodu’s accusation emerged in response to a lawsuit filed against her by Davido, who is seeking custody of their child. The statement, dated June 22, 2024, and issued by her legal representatives Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors and Bimpe Ajegbomogun & Co, was exclusively obtained by Pulse Nigeria.
Davido initiated legal action against Momodu, the mother of his first child, aiming for unrestricted access to their daughter Imade. The motion, filed by Davido’s legal team, including Dr. Olaniyi Arije and Okey Barrah, was submitted to the Lagos State High Court on April 17, 2024. The case, tagged LD/1587PMC/2024, lists David Adedeji Adeleke as the applicant and Sophia Momodu as the sole respondent.
In his lawsuit, Davido contends that he has consistently fulfilled his paternal responsibilities towards Imade, such as paying her school fees, providing transportation, and securing accommodation. He stated that he had offered Momodu a condominium in a gated community at Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos, which she declined. Instead, she insisted that he continue paying ₦5 million annually for a rented facility for Imade’s accommodation. Davido also mentioned purchasing vehicles for their daughter’s transportation needs and alleged that Momodu failed to inform him when one of the vehicles stopped working.
In her response to Davido’s lawsuit, Momodu asserted that the Afrobeat star has not seen their daughter since July 2022 by his own choice, emphasizing that she has never denied him the opportunity to see Imade. She recounted that their relationship had two phases: from 2014-2017 and from 2020-2022, during which Davido provided financial support for their daughter, covering school fees, rent, and other living expenses, including the cars mentioned in the legal documents. However, since the end of their relationship in 2022, Momodu claimed she has been receiving threats from Davido over her refusal to make herself available to him sexually.
Sophia’s statement through her legal representatives read in part: “Sophia ended the relationship with David in July 2022. Since then, David has repeatedly threatened to make Sophia’s life miserable if she does not make herself available to him sexually. Sophia has never denied him the opportunity to see his daughter. He has not reached out on special occasions such as her birthday or Christmas for the past two years, which has left his daughter distressed and questioning why her father has cut contact with her. Despite this, David posts images of her on social media to falsely portray himself as a supportive and active father.”
The statement further claimed that since July 2022, Davido has not fulfilled his financial responsibilities towards their daughter, leaving her school fees unpaid. Their daughter’s school reportedly contacted him multiple times regarding the fees for the 2021/2022 school term and January 2023, without receiving any response. Momodu sought legal counsel in February 2023, which eventually led to Davido’s father, Mr. Adedeji Adeleke, paying the outstanding fees. Despite this financial support, Momodu emphasized that the most important thing Davido could provide for their daughter is his presence and emotional support.
Momodu also pointed out the contradiction between Davido’s public persona and his private actions. She accused him of using social media to create a false image of a caring and involved father, while in reality, he has been absent from his daughter’s life. She stated that Davido is in a publicly known relationship and wished him well but expressed her desire to move forward in her own life, free from harassment and verbal abuse.
The case highlights the complexities and emotional strain of custody battles, especially when public figures are involved. Both parties have presented conflicting narratives, with Davido emphasizing his financial contributions and Sophia highlighting his lack of physical and emotional presence. As the legal proceedings continue, the focus remains on the best interests of their daughter, Imade.
This situation underscores the challenges faced by co-parents in maintaining a balance between personal grievances and the well-being of their children. The court’s decision will likely have significant implications for both Davido and Sophia Momodu, as well as their daughter, who is at the center of this contentious dispute.
