Dele Momodu Weighs in on Davido and Sophia Momodu's Custody Dispute

Publisher of Ovation magazine, Dele Momodu, has addressed the ongoing custody battle between his niece, Sophia Momodu, and Afrobeat star Davido, whose real name is David Adeleke.

In a series of posts on his verified X handle, Momodu expressed surprise over Davido’s recent legal move to seek joint custody of their daughter. He noted that their previous conversations focused on Davido’s wedding plans and reconnecting with his daughter, not custody issues.

Momodu emphasized that Davido and his family have always had access to the child. He also highlighted that when Davido stopped paying for the child’s school fees, his father, Deji Adeleke, stepped in to settle the fees and even provided a car for the child.

“Last night, I received a distressing message from Davido regarding the counter-affidavit submitted in court in response to his request for joint custody,” Momodu wrote. He expressed confusion, stating that during a video call with Davido and Pastor Tobi Adegboyega, there was no mention of any custody disputes.

Momodu revealed that the primary issues between Sophia and Davido revolved around financial support, including school fees, accommodation, and nanny salaries. He disclosed that Davido’s father had offered an apartment in Oniru Estate, which Sophia declined, preferring to stay in Ikoyi. Sophia suggested splitting the accommodation costs, but Davido offered to pay only N5 million annually, which was less than required.

The veteran journalist asserted that Sophia has always allowed Davido access to their daughter, provided a nanny was present, a request also made by their daughter, Imade. He emphasized that Sophia did not initiate the custody battle and blamed the lack of communication between Davido and Sophia for the current situation.

Momodu urged both parties to prioritize their daughter’s well-being and work towards a compromise on custody and financial responsibilities. He called for a resolution through the court’s alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process and cautioned against making harmful statements on social media.

“It is crucial to avoid vitriolic rhetoric in the media, as it only exacerbates the trauma for all involved, especially the child,” Momodu concluded, stressing the need for a structured, safe, and sustainable arrangement for father-daughter engagement.