Davido withdraws joint custody case after heated Lagos court hearing referencing his late son, calling the remark a “lowest blow”

Afrobeats superstar Davido, born David Adeleke, announced on Friday that he has withdrawn his legal bid for joint custody of his daughter, Imade Adeleke, following a contentious hearing at the Lagos High Court in Yaba.

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David Adeleke said in a series of emotional social media posts that he had never sought full custody of Imade, his first child with influencer Sophia Momodu, but rather a joint arrangement to guarantee unrestricted access and active involvement in her upbringing.

David Adeleke and Sophia Momodu welcomed Imade on May 14, 2015, during their relationship in the mid-2010s.

The custody dispute intensified in 2024 when David Adeleke filed a motion before the Lagos High Court seeking court-ordered access, alleging that Sophia Momodu had imposed restrictions on contact.

The most recent hearing, held on February 12 or 13, reportedly became heated during cross-examination.

According to multiple accounts and David Adeleke’s own statements, Sophia Momodu’s lawyer, Ebelechukwu Egeonu Enedah, questioned David Adeleke’s capacity to ensure his daughter’s safety and welfare, referencing the 2022 drowning death of his young son at the family home.

David Adeleke described the remark as a “lowest blow” and an unacceptable personal attack. David Adeleke said the reference crossed a line and caused him to lose his composure in court.

“I’ve decided to drop the case because when I was challenging that lawyer in the courtroom, she would get so frustrated until she brought out her last card — my deceased son. That’s a no no! Lowest blow!” David Adeleke wrote.

David Adeleke added that the dispute had produced no victors. “Nobody won, nobody lost but Imade, so I don’t know why some people are celebrating. There is nothing to celebrate,” David Adeleke stated.

In a final note, David Adeleke reaffirmed his commitment to his daughter, saying she would grow up knowing he fought for her involvement in her life and urging all parties to move forward.

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The decision to withdraw the case brings a dramatic chapter in the family dispute to a close, at least for now, leaving questions about future access arrangements unresolved.