Contemporary controversy has emerged within the ongoing custody dispute involving Afrobeats star, Davido and his daughter, Imade, following the singer’s resolution to withdraw from the case and subsequent public reactions that drew a proper response from the legislation agency representing the kid’s mom.
Davido, whose actual title is David Adeleke, introduced late Friday that he had opted to discontinue the custody proceedings, insisting that he by no means sought sole custody of his daughter however solely requested joint custody.
He maintained that no celebration emerged victorious from the case, describing the state of affairs as a loss for the kid concerned.
“I by no means requested for full custody … I requested for joint custody. No person received, no person misplaced however Imade … so I don’t know why some pple r celebrating. There’s nothing to rejoice,” the singer wrote on X.
Explaining his resolution to withdraw, Davido alleged that occasions throughout courtroom proceedings took an unacceptable flip, claiming that references had been made to his late son, an expertise he described as deeply distressing.
“I’ve determined to drop the case as a result of … till she introduced out her final card! MY DECEASED SON! THAT’S A NO NO! Lowest blow!” He said.
The artiste added that his actions had been pushed by love and accountability towards his daughter, expressing confidence that his efforts could be understood sooner or later.
“My daughter will develop up figuring out I fought for her … let’s transfer on. One love!” he wrote.
Davido additionally took to his Instagram story to criticise the opposing authorized staff, alleging unprofessional conduct throughout the proceedings.
“I disgraced you within the courtroom … I used to be educating you your work … after which went on to say my son. Like I stated within the courtroom, I pray you by no means undergo what me and my spouse have gone by way of ever,” he posted.
The net outburst adopted earlier social media commentary by a Lagos-based authorized practitioner, Maruf Muhammed, who had drawn public consideration to tense moments throughout proceedings on the Lagos State Excessive Court docket, Yaba.
“Davido in Excessive Court docket, Yaba now! Come and see drama in courtroom. The lawyer made 001 lose his endurance throughout cross-examination o! Be you by no means so excessive, the legislation is above you,” Muhammed wrote, later clarifying that the matter earlier than the courtroom associated to the custody of Davido’s daughter, Imade.
In response to the general public commentary and what it described as harassment directed at its accomplice, the legislation agency representing Imade’s mom, Sophia, issued a strongly worded assertion defending its conduct and warning towards intimidation of authorized practitioners.
Within the assertion dated February 16, 2026, the agency stated its consideration had been drawn to inflammatory public statements, allegedly orchestrated by a Nigerian Afrobeats artiste on social media, regarding a custody matter at present earlier than a courtroom of competent jurisdiction in Lagos State.
“That matter is sub judice. It will likely be determined by the courtroom alone, on proof and legislation, and no quantity of media commentary will sway that course of or our method to the case,” the agency said.
It burdened that it could not touch upon the substance of the case, citing adherence to the best requirements {of professional} conduct, however warned that threats, intimidation or harassment of counsel outdoors the courtroom pose a severe risk to the administration of justice.
“Nonetheless, if authorized practitioners are to be threatened, intimidated, or uncovered to harassment outdoors the courtroom for asking questions, testing proof, or discharging their skilled responsibility to their shoppers, then the very basis of justice is imperilled,” the assertion stated.
The agency added that fearless advocacy remained important to the justice system, warning that when legal professionals had been compelled to weigh private security towards skilled responsibility, the rule of legislation was weakened.
“It won’t start with us,” the agency declared, noting that it could deploy each lawful measure accessible to withstand any try and intimidate counsel or undermine judicial proceedings.
It additional known as on the Nigerian Bar Affiliation and legal professionals globally to sentence what it described as an aberration and a gross violation of the authorized occupation.
The assertion was collectively signed by the Administration and Board of Companions of the agency.
In the meantime, the custody dispute continues to draw public consideration, with followers and observers calling for peaceable co-parenting, at the same time as each side preserve their positions amid heightened public scrutiny.
