Singer Davido sue Sophia Momodu, files for joint custody of daughter, Imade

International award-winning singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has taken Sophia Momodu, the mother of his first child, Imade, to court seeking custody of their daughter.

In an originating motion filed by his lawyers, Dr. Olaniyi Arije, Okey Barrah, and others at the Lagos State High Court on April 17, 2024, Davido is requesting “an order granting joint custody of Miss Imade Adeleke to the applicant.”

Alternatively, the singer is seeking “an order granting the applicant unfettered and unrestricted access to Miss Imade.”

The suit, marked LD/1587PMC/2024, lists Mr. David Adedeji Adeleke as the applicant and Ms. Sophia Momodu as the sole respondent.

The originating motion is supported by a 44-paragraph affidavit sworn by Davido himself. He explained that although his relationship with Momodu, which resulted in the birth of their child on May 14, 2015, ended years ago, they had agreed to co-parent their daughter.

Davido stated, “I have been responsible for all of my daughter’s school fees to provide her with the best education and meet all her educational needs without any issues.”

He also said, “I have been providing money for the rent of the apartment where the respondent lives with our daughter.”

The singer added that out of love for Imade, he purchased and offered Momodu a N200 million apartment in a gated community with a swimming pool and 24-hour utilities in Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos. However, Momodu declined the offer.

He continued, “The respondent rejected the offer to stay at the secured Oniru apartment and demanded that I continue to pay N5,000,000 annually for a rented facility as my contribution towards my daughter’s accommodation.”

To ensure Imade’s well-being, Davido purchased a Range Rover Sport Utility Vehicle for the child’s transportation needs. However, last year, he received a call from Imade’s school reporting her two-week absence. When he inquired, Momodu complained about the SUV’s condition but had not informed him earlier.

In response, Davido provided another vehicle, a Highlander SUV, and N5.8 million for the Range Rover’s repair, giving the respondent two vehicles for use.

Davido also committed to covering living expenses, nanny fees, medical care, insurance, and international travel costs for their daughter.

Despite these efforts, Davido claims Momodu continues to make “outlandish and Utopian demands,” including $800 monthly for a nanny and a lump sum of $19,600 per year.

Davido alleges that despite his contributions to ensuring a better life for their daughter, Momodu has shown him “unwarranted cruelty” and caused him significant distress.

Davido and Sophia have frequently clashed. In 2021, Sophia expressed her pain over their daughter taking Davido’s last name instead of hers. She shared her feelings on Instagram, revealing she cried bitterly because Imade could not bear the last name ‘Momodu’.