Entertainment
Court Recommends Alternative Dispute Resolution For Davido, Sophia Momodu’s Custody Battle
The custody battle between Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido and his first baby mama, Sophia Momodu, has taken a new turn.
Dele_Momodu, a renowned journalist and Sophia’s uncle, has disclosed that the court has referred the case for possible settlement through alternative dispute resolution (ADR). This development comes amid a highly publicised legal struggle over the custody of their daughter, Aurora Imade Adeleke.
In a statement shared on his official social media handles, Momodu urged both parties to engage sincerely with the ADR process and to avoid making harmful statements on social media. He emphasised the importance of prioritising the welfare of their daughter and keeping the matter out of the public eye.
“The court yesterday referred the case for possible settlement by ADR during Settlement Week. I strongly advise that David and Sophia should engage truly with the process instead of making harmful and irreversible statements on social media, which not only violate the law but also harm the interests of their child,” Momodu wrote. He added, “I have spent the past nine years trying to ensure amicable resolution of disputes and encouraging both parents to establish a proper structure for their daughter’s welfare. It is important to note that Sophia did not initiate this court action; she is only seeking to protect their child and ensure there is a structured, safe, and sustainable way for the father and child to engage with each other.”
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This development follows a series of allegations and counter-allegations from both parties. Sophia Momodu recently filed a 102-paragraph counter-affidavit in response to Davido’s lawsuit seeking joint custody of their daughter. In her affidavit, Momodu, represented by her legal team led by Anthony Idigbe SAN of Punuka Attorneys and Dr Bimpe Ajegbomogun, accused Davido of being an absentee father and failing to fulfil his responsibilities.
Davido, on the other hand, claimed that he has consistently met his financial obligations towards their daughter and that Sophia has made unreasonable demands aimed at frustrating him. He is seeking joint custody and unrestricted access to ensure he remains an active part of Imade’s life.
Sophia Momodu’s counter-affidavit also detailed instances of alleged neglect and inappropriate behaviour by Davido. She claimed that the musician only visited their daughter when it suited his media image or to fulfil his sexual desires. Momodu stated that Davido had refused to see their daughter since July 2022 by his own choice and that she had solely borne the responsibility for their daughter’s care for the past two years.
In response, Davido took to his official X page (formerly Twitter) to express his frustration over the allegations. “You constantly bring up the death of my child at any point you can to remind us of this tragedy that haunts us every day of our lives. Imade will grow up to see that I fought for her. As for now, you can have her. P.S.: She won’t be a child forever. Enjoy Imade Aurora Adeleke! Your father loves you!” he wrote.
The legal tussle has seen heated exchanges, with both parties accusing each other of various wrongdoings. Sophia alleged that Davido used their daughter for media stunts and promotions, while Davido claimed that Sophia’s demands were unreasonable and aimed at harassment.
The court proceedings have also drawn attention to the publication of hearing notices in national newspapers, where the name of their daughter was mentioned multiple times. Chief Idigbe, representing Sophia, highlighted this issue and reminded the court of the provisions of the Child’s Rights Law of Lagos State 2015, which prohibits the publication of a child’s name in such cases. The judge concurred and instructed that the child’s name should not be mentioned in future publications.
Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, has publicly declared love and appreciation for her former husband, Olakunle Churchill, years after their highly publicised split.
The emotional moment occurred during their son King Andre’s 10th birthday celebration held in Abuja, where Dikeh offered heartfelt prayers and words of affirmation for Churchill in the presence of guests.
In a video from the event that has since gone viral on social media, the actress described Churchill as “an amazing father” and expressed gratitude for his role in their son’s life.
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“You are an amazing father, thank you so much,” she said. “Your businesses will flourish; whoever curses you shall be cursed. I love you with the love of God.”
Dikeh further prayed for Churchill’s family and children, asking for divine protection, success and progress in all their endeavours.
“I pray for your family. I pray for your business. I pray for all the children. They will progress. Failure will not meet them. Everything that they touch will be blessed,” she declared.
The development marks a significant shift in the relationship between the former couple, whose marriage ended in 2017 amid allegations and public disputes that dominated entertainment headlines for years.
Recently, Dikeh revealed that they had reconciled and “buried the hatchet,” signalling an end to their long-running feud and a renewed focus on peaceful co-parenting.
Churchill later married actress Rosy Meurer in 2021, and the couple have two children together. Despite past controversies, both families appear to have embraced maturity and mutual respect.
The birthday celebration and Dikeh’s public declaration have since sparked mixed reactions online, with many applauding the former couple for putting aside differences for the sake of their son.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has appointed Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson-Okojie, as Special Adviser on Public Engagement and Advocacy.
The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor.
According to the statement, the governor approved the appointment as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen communication between the government and the people of Edo State.
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“This is to inform the general public that Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the appointment of Mercy Johnson-Okojie as Special Adviser on Public Engagement and Advocacy,” the statement read.
Johnson-Okojie, a renowned actress, producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, is widely regarded as one of Nollywood’s most celebrated figures, with nearly two decades in the industry and appearances in over 200 films.
Beyond her acting career, she is the founder of the Mercy Johnson Okojie Foundation, which focuses on women empowerment, child welfare, educational support, and healthcare outreach.
The Edo State Government expressed confidence that her influence, public appeal, and grassroots connection would help boost awareness of government programmes and encourage citizen participation in state policies.
Her husband, Odianosen Okojie, represents Esan North East/Esan South East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
The appointment has sparked conversations across social media, with supporters describing it as a strategic move to bridge the gap between governance and the entertainment industry.
Preliminary autopsy results have ruled out food poisoning as the cause of death for two Nollywood production crew members found dead at a movie set in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, on February 7, 2026.
The victims, 36-year-old cinematographer Walter Odediran and his childhood friend Godstime Imeh, Lighting Director and Chief Officer of GeeTee Light, were discovered lifeless inside a Nissan car owned by Imeh, parked within the premises of Evercare Hospital, where a film was being shot.
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According to sources, the autopsy revealed that one of the victims had an empty stomach, while the other had only a small amount of food — “almost as if he hadn’t eaten anything,” a source said.
Walter Odediran’s elder brother, Kola Odediran, confirmed that the family had received the preliminary autopsy report. He said: “The autopsy itself is complete, and no food was found in my late brother.
“The results indicate he did not eat anything. But they are going to carry out toxicology and histology tests, which will provide the definitive answers we are looking for.”
To determine the exact cause of death, experts will conduct additional tests on blood and tissue samples to find out whether the victims ingested or inhaled any harmful substances before their deaths.
These results are expected in two to three weeks.
Relatives of the deceased, as well as colleagues in the Nollywood industry, are awaiting the findings with bated breath, hoping the upcoming tests will shed light on the mysterious circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
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