The custody dispute between singer Davido and his baby mother Sophia has seen a new development with Dele Momodu, a Nigerian journalist, offering his perspective on the ongoing legal battle.
Sophia’s uncle Momodu, in an Instagram post on Saturday afternoon, urged both sides to find an amicable solution.
The legal battle over custody of their only daughter, Imade, is ongoing, with both sides presenting their arguments in court.
On April 17, 2024, Davido filed for joint custody and unrestricted access to his nine-year-old daughter, affirming his commitment to her care and support.
Sophia responded in a statement from her legal representatives, saying she only “denied” her estranged lover access to her “body, not her daughter.”
Sofia
On Friday, Imade’s mother opposed the singer’s request, citing concerns about Davido’s lifestyle and past incidents that she believed made him “unfit for custody.”
Sophia’s 102-paragraph counter-affidavit details why the singer should not be granted joint custody, including his frequent travels, the influence of “unsavory individuals” around him and his recent marriage to “another woman”, Chioma Rowland.
Article page with promotion of financial support
The affidavit also highlighted incidents where Davido allegedly “failed to fulfill his financial responsibilities” and provided evidence of her role as primary caregiver for their daughter.
Statement by Dele Momodu
Mr. Momodu recounted his interactions with Davido and Sophia on the issue of custody.
The journalist expressed surprise at Davido’s court filing, noting that the singer did not mention any custody issues during a recent video call with him (Davido) and Pastor Tobi Adegboyega.
EnglishAARE DR DELE MOMODU on Instagram: “MY HONEST VIEW ON DAVID ADELEKE vs SOPHIA MOMODU By DELE MOMODU Last night, I received a distressing message from Mr David Adeleke (aka Davido). He was obviously devastated by the counter affidavit filed in court, earlier in the day, in response to his affidavit requesting for joint custody of his daughter with my niece Sophia Momodu. I had seen David’s affidavit about two weeks ago and was very shocked as David and I had spoken on a video call days earlier, with him and Pastor Tobi Adegboyega, and he never told me that he was having custody issues with my niece. So you can imagine my confusion upon learning through social media and subsequently confirmed by my niece that he had filed an action in court requesting for joint custody of his daughter. During the video call referenced, we were all very excited about his upcoming wedding ceremony, an event that our family congratulated him on. Prior to this, David had told me that he finally spoke to his daughter…instagram.com
“Last night I received a distressing message from Mr David Adeleke (Davido). He was devastated by the counter-affidavit filed in court earlier that day,” Momodu wrote.
During the video call, the Ovation International CEO said they were excited about Davido’s recent wedding with Chioma and there was no indication of any custody issues.
“It was an event that our family congratulated him on. Before this, David had told me that he finally spoke to his daughter after a long gap of about two years.
“I was happy and excited. I thought that everything was settled and that he and Sophia would now have the opportunity to take the best possible care of their daughter. I especially thanked David’s father, Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, for his kindness and support to our daughter during David’s absence.
“I also took Sophia and her daughter to my dear friend, Governor Ademola Adeleke, to seek his intervention. As far as I know, there was never an issue of “shared custody.”
Mr. Momodu detailed his efforts to mediate between the parties, including talks with Davido’s father, Adedeji Adeleke, his uncle, Ademola Adeleke, and Sophia’s attempts to provide a stable environment for Imade.
She also highlighted issues such as “non-payment of school fees, accommodation and nannies’ salaries” which were addressed with the help of Davido’s father.
“David’s father had verbally offered me, in conversations, one of the family apartments at Oniru Estate, Victoria Island. However, perhaps due to a miscommunication, David’s lawyers had told him otherwise,” Momodu said.
She explained that Sophia turned down the offer because she felt uncomfortable living close to Davido’s family due to her “single status.”
Sofia’s worries
Sophia had specific concerns about the environment Davido provided for his daughter.
“Sophia asked David to pay half of the accommodation and she to pay the other half. David said he could only contribute 5 million naira a year,” Momodu said.
This financial arrangement was one of the contentious points of their dispute.
Mr Momodu stressed the impact that the strained relationship between Davido and Sophia had on his daughter.
“The lack of camaraderie between David and Sophia has led to this debacle. I have repeatedly warned that their daughter should not be allowed to suffer or be treated like a second-class child,” she stressed, underlining the importance of “Imade’s well-being, given Davido’s global status.”
Call for an amicable solution
Mr Momodu also stressed the importance of resolving the custody dispute amicably for the sake of Imade.
“Sophia allowed David to have access to her daughter, as long as she had her nanny nearby 24/7. The 9-year-old made this request and I believe it should be considered favorably and accepted,” Momodu wrote.
“The court yesterday referred the case for possible settlement by the court’s alternative dispute resolution (ADR) section during Settlement Week,” he said.
Mr. Momodu also advised Davido and Sophia to genuinely engage in the ADR process and avoid making damaging statements on social media.
READ ALSO: What I want from Sophia Momodu Davido
“I strongly recommend that David (and Sophia) truly engage in the process rather than making damaging and irreversible statements on social media that violate the law and the interests of their son,” she urged.
Mr. Momodu concluded by expressing his commitment to ensuring a peaceful solution and the well-being of his grandniece, noting that he has done everything in his power over the past nine years to ensure an amicable resolution of the disputes and to encourage both parents.