Davido, the internationally acclaimed singer, has initiated legal proceedings against Sophia Momodu, the mother of his first child, Imade, in order to obtain custody of their daughter. The legal action was taken by Davido’s legal representatives, Dr. Olaniyi Arije and Okey Barrah, and was filed at the Lagos State High Court on April 17, 2024. The application seeks joint custody of Imade Adeleke. Alternatively, Davido is also requesting unrestricted access to his daughter. The case, identified as LD/1587PMC/2024, names Davido as the applicant and Sophia Momodu as the sole respondent. In a 44-paragraph affidavit, Davido outlines his unwavering commitment to Imade’s well-being. Davido explains that despite the end of their relationship, he has consistently provided for Imade by covering all her educational expenses and the rent for the apartment where she resides with her mother. He even offered Momodu a N200 million apartment in a gated community in Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos, which she declined, insisting on an annual payment of N5 million for a rented residence. In his affidavit, Davido also mentions purchasing a Range Rover SUV for Momodu and Imade to address their transportation needs. When he was informed of the vehicle’s poor condition, he went above and beyond by providing an additional Highlander SUV and N5.8 million for repairs. Furthermore, Davido asserts that he has been funding living expenses, nanny fees, medical care, insurance, and international travel for Imade. Despite his efforts, he claims that Momodu has made excessive demands, including requesting $800 per month for the nanny, amounting to a total of $19,600 annually, and has displayed unwarranted hostility towards him. This legal dispute is not the first between Davido and Sophia. In 2021, Momodu expressed her distress over Imade taking Davido’s last name instead of hers. She shared her emotional struggle on Instagram, revealing that her family convinced her that carrying Davido’s name would be beneficial for Imade’s future. This ongoing conflict sheds light on the challenges and complexities of co-parenting.
