Davido has walked away from his court case with Sophia Momodu over their daughter Imade. The singer announced on February 14, 2026, that he is no longer fighting for joint custody after something painful happened during the court hearing. He made it clear that nobody won this case, and the only person who lost is Imade.
What the Davido Custody Case Was About
Contrary to public speculation, Davido never intended to take full custody of his daughter, Imade. He made it clear that his goal was joint custody, allowing both parents to share time and responsibilities equally.
“I never asked for full custody… I asked for joint custody,” Davido wrote on social media. He filed the case in April 2024, explaining that he already covers Imade’s school fees and daily needs. His aim was simply to formalize his involvement and be more present in her life.
What Happened During the Davido’s Daughter Court Case Hearing
The court hearing took place on February 13, 2026, at the Lagos State High Court. According to reports, everything was going well at first. Then Sophia Momodu’s lawyer, Ebelechukwu Egeonu Enedah, asked Davido a question that changed everything.
The lawyer asked how he could guarantee Imade’s safety when he was unable to protect his son Ifeanyi, who died in October 2022. Ifeanyi’s death was a painful tragedy when the three-year-old boy drowned in a swimming pool at Davido’s home. Bringing up this painful memory in court was too much for Davido to take.
Davido’s Reaction to the Lawyer’s Question
The mention of his late son triggered a strong reaction from Davido in court. His response disrupted proceedings, forcing the judge to briefly suspend the hearing.
When proceedings resumed, the judge asked Davido to apologize to both the court and the lawyer for his outburst. He declined, insisting he would not apologize for reacting to the mention of his late son.
Later on, social media, he addressed the incident directly, describing the reference as crossing a line. He called it a “lowest blow,” saying it was unacceptable to use his deceased child in a legal argument.
Why Davido Withdrew from the Custody Case
After what happened, Davido concluded he could no longer continue with the case. He said the reference to his late son crossed a boundary that should never have been touched. For him, the emotional weight of that moment made it impossible to keep pursuing the custody battle in court.
In his reaction, he strongly criticized the lawyer’s decision to bring up Ifeanyi, describing it as cruel and unnecessary. He maintained that his son’s death should not have been used in a legal argument. In a follow-up message, he wrote that he would not wish the pain he and his wife experienced on anyone, making it clear how deeply the incident affected him.
Ultimately, he chose to step away from the legal fight, saying the emotional cost was too high, especially when a child’s wellbeing was at the center of the case.
Davido’s Statement After Dropping the Case
After dropping the case, Davido made it clear that he does not see this as anyone winning or losing. “Nobody won, nobody lost but Imade,” he wrote. He believes his daughter is the one who suffers most when her parents are fighting in court.
He also addressed people who were celebrating that he dropped the case. “I don’t know why some people are celebrating. There’s nothing to celebrate,” he said.
But Davido made one thing clear: “My daughter will grow up knowing I fought for her.” He wants Imade to understand when she is older that he tried to be more present in her life.
What this Means for Davido’s Daughter Imade
With Davido withdrawing from the case, no new court order has been issued regarding custody. Imade will continue living with her mother, Sophia Momodu, while Davido will maintain contact according to their existing arrangement. Recently, he spent time with Imade following her win in a talent competition.
The decision to step away from the legal battle drew widespread support online. Many felt that Sophia’s lawyer had crossed a line by bringing up Ifeanyi. One supporter commented, “I don’t know what exactly may have led you to give up, but I believe no one should prevent a father or mother from being involved in their child’s life. That right is worth fighting for, all the way to the Supreme Court, if necessary”.
Conclusion
Davido’s decision to withdraw from the custody case highlights just how emotionally taxing family court battles can be. Although he sought joint custody, the personal toll became too great after his late son was mentioned in court. For now, he will co-parent without the formal legal framework he had hoped for, but, as he emphasized, “nobody won this case,” and he wants his daughter to know he fought for her.
