Sophia Momodu, the mother of Nigerian music star Davido’s daughter, Imade, has accused the singer of neglecting their child for the past two years. This accusation comes amid a legal battle over the custody of Imade.
Background of the Custody Dispute
Davido recently filed a lawsuit seeking joint custody of Imade. The suit, filed on April 17, 2024, at the Lagos State High Court by Davido’s legal team, requests unrestricted access to his daughter. Davido, born David Adedeji Adeleke, claims to have consistently fulfilled his paternal duties, including paying for Imade’s school fees, transportation, and accommodation. However, he alleges that Momodu refused to stay in a condominium he provided, demanding instead that he continue to pay ₦5 million annually for a rented facility.
Momodu’s Response to Davido’s Claims
In a response issued by her legal representatives, Momodu contends that Davido has not seen their daughter since July 2022, despite her not denying him access. She asserts that during their relationship spells from 2014 to 2017 and 2020 to 2022, Davido provided financial support, covering various living expenses for Imade. However, since their breakup in 2022, Momodu claims she has faced threats from Davido over her refusal to maintain a sexual relationship with him.
“Sophia ended the relationship with David in July 2022. Since then, David has repeatedly threatened to make Sophia’s life miserable if she does not make herself available to him sexually,” her statement read. She added that Davido has not reached out on special occasions like Imade’s birthday or Christmas, causing emotional distress for their daughter.
Financial Neglect Allegations
Momodu also accuses Davido of failing to meet his financial obligations since July 2022, including neglecting to pay Imade’s school fees. She revealed that the singer’s father, Mr. Adedeji Adeleke, had to step in to cover the outstanding fees after the school reached out multiple times without a response from Davido.
“Since July 2022, David has not fulfilled his financial responsibilities towards their daughter, leaving her school fees unpaid. Legal counsel was sought in February 2023, resulting in David’s father eventually paying the outstanding fees,” the statement added.
Attempts at Co-Parenting and Harassment Claims
Momodu maintains that she has tried to establish a formal co-parenting arrangement with Davido, but his legal team has been uncooperative. She claims Davido uses his social influence to isolate and harass her, emphasizing that she has never denied him access to Imade, only rejecting his advances for a personal relationship.
“David is in a publicly known relationship, and Sophia wishes him well. She seeks to move forward in her life free from harassment and verbal abuse,” Momodu concluded.
Conclusion
The ongoing custody battle between Davido and Sophia Momodu highlights the complexities and emotional strain involved in co-parenting arrangements, especially when public figures are involved. While Davido seeks joint custody and claims to fulfill his responsibilities, Momodu’s accusations of neglect and harassment paint a different picture, emphasizing the need for a resolution that prioritizes the well-being of their daughter, Imade.
