In recent years, high-profile child custody disputes have become a recurring headline in Nigeria’s entertainment industry. Behind the glitz and glamour, several celebrities have found themselves embroiled in legal battles over the care and upbringing of their children.
These cases underscore the complexities of co-parenting when fame, finances, and family loyalties collide. Below, we explore the most notable custody dramas of the year, unpack the legal framework governing child custody in Nigeria, and consider the wider social impact of these very public family feuds.
1. Davido vs. Sophia Momodu: A High-Stakes Battle for Imade
Background
Music superstar David “Davido” Adeleke (b. 1992) and Sophia Momodu welcomed their daughter, Imade, in 2016. Though they never married, the two maintained an on-and-off relationship for several years, sharing co-parenting duties—and tensions.
In July 2024, Davido filed for joint custody of Imade in the High Court of Lagos State, arguing that he had consistently met his financial and emotional responsibilities as a father. In response, Sophia filed a Counter-Affidavit alleging Davido had been an “absentee father” and accused him of using Imade as leverage in their personal disputes .
Key Allegations
Absenteeism and Abandonment: Sophia claims Davido went two years without meaningful contact, prioritizing his career and social life over parental duties.
Financial Disputes: She alleges she has borne the bulk of Imade’s expenses—school fees, healthcare, accommodation—despite prior agreements.
Safety Concerns: The affidavit paints a picture of a “world-acclaimed womaniser,” worrying that Imade would be exposed to Davido’s volatile lifestyle and celebrity entourages.
Attempted Kidnap: In a dramatic turn, Sophia accuses members of Davido’s family of a plot to spirit Imade out of the country without her consent when the child was just three months old.
Davido’s Position
Davido’s legal team insists he has been a dedicated father—providing school fees, security, and care—and that joint custody would best serve Imade’s well-being. In a series of Instagram posts following their first court appearance on July 5, 2024, he expressed frustration that the dispute had become “tabloid fodder,” but affirmed his commitment to co-parenting .
Current Status
As of early 2025, the case remains active in the High Court. Both parties have submitted extensive witness statements and expert reports on parenting capacity. A critical hearing is scheduled for June 2025, where the judge will weigh the child’s welfare against the parents’ competing narratives.
2. Queen Mercy and Lord Lamba: A Reality TV-Turned-Courtroom Drama
Background
Former Big Brother Naija star Queen Mercy Atang (b. 1996) and skit maker Promise Anagbogu—known as Lord Lamba—began dating in 2023. Their relationship produced a daughter, Keilah, born in February 2023. However, by late 2024, discord over child-rearing responsibilities escalated into a formal custody dispute.
The Court Papers
In February 2025, Lord Lamba petitioned the Family Court of Lagos State, Ikeja Division, seeking full custody of Keilah on grounds that Queen Mercy had repeatedly denied him access despite his prompt payment of child support .
The petition alleged:
Denial of Access: He claimed Queen Mercy blocked his visitation attempts, even on dates previously agreed upon.
Financial Hardship: Despite paying regular support, he argued that Queen Mercy misrepresented his inability to contribute additional funds.
Emotional Bond: Lord Lamba’s lawyers emphasized his on-camera devotion to Keilah as evidence of a strong paternal bond meriting primary custody.
Queen Mercy’s Response
Queen Mercy’s legal team countered that Lord Lamba’s erratic schedule as a content creator made consistent parenting impossible. They presented medical records showing Keilah’s special dietary and healthcare needs—requiring stability that, they argued, only Queen Mercy could ensure.
3. Korra Obidi vs. Justin Dean: A Detailed Overview of Their Custody Battle
Nigerian-American singer and dancer Korra Obidi and her ex-husband, Dr. Justin Dean, have been engaged in a highly publicized and contentious custody dispute over their two daughters, June and Athena. The legal and personal challenges have been ongoing since their separation in 2022, with significant developments continuing into 2025.
Background of the Custody Dispute
Following their divorce in 2022, Korra and Justin were granted 50/50 joint custody of their children. However, tensions escalated when Justin obtained image rights protection from Meta, prohibiting Korra from featuring their children in her online content—a significant source of her livelihood. This restriction led Korra to launch a GoFundMe campaign in May 2024, seeking $100,000 to hire legal representation to challenge the custody terms and image rights restrictions. The campaign raised over $51,000 from more than 950 donors.
Legal Actions and Court Orders
In response to the ongoing disputes, a California court issued a permanent restraining order against Justin Dean in August 2024. The order prohibited him from contacting or approaching Korra and their children, following allegations of harassment and defamation. Additionally, the court barred both parents from posting visuals of their children on social media without further court approval.
Public Statements and Media Appearances
Throughout the custody battle, both parties have made public statements regarding their positions. Korra has accused Justin of attempting to undermine her career and restrict her access to their children. In contrast, Justin has expressed concerns about Korra’s actions and has sought to modify the custody arrangement. These differing perspectives have been shared through various media channels, including social media platforms and interviews.
4. AY Makun and Mabel Makun
In April 2024, renowned comedian AY Makun opened up about his separation from his wife of 15 years, Mabel Makun. Reports surfaced online alleging that the couple was engaged in a custody battle over their second daughter. While AY stated that there was no particular reason for their separation, the custody discussions highlighted the complexities involved in co-parenting after a long-term marriage.
5. Buchi Comedian vs. Rukky’s Family
In November 2023, Nigerian comedian Buchi publicly addressed his custody battle with his ex-wife Rukky’s family. He alleged that his former in-laws, who had custody of his children in the United States, denied him access to them.
Buchi claimed he could only communicate with his children when his in-laws initiated the calls and that he was blocked after each conversation. Despite paying substantial child support, he reported being denied consistent access. In December 2023, Buchi announced that he had been granted access to his children, expressing joy over the development.
6. Do2dtun vs. Taiwo Oyebanjo
Popular media personality Oladotun Kayode, known as Do2dtun, has been involved in a custody dispute with his ex-wife Taiwo Oyebanjo, sister to singer D’banj. In October 2023, Do2dtun alleged that Taiwo denied him access to their daughters, despite a joint custody agreement. He accused Taiwo and her brother of preventing him from seeing his children. Taiwo refuted these claims, asserting that Do2dtun knew the whereabouts of his children and had access to them.
7. Tonto Dikeh vs. Olakunle Churchill
Actress Tonto Dikeh and her ex-husband Olakunle Churchill have had a protracted custody battle over their son, King Andre. In 2017, Tonto was granted full custody. However, in 2023, Churchill renewed his efforts to gain access, claiming he had been denied opportunities to see his son. Tonto countered these claims, accusing Churchill of being a deadbeat father who had only provided child support four times in seven years.
8. Portable vs. Honey Berry
Singer Portable faced public accusations from his former partner Honey Berry in 2023. She alleged that Portable neglected their child, failing to provide financial support for seven months. In response, Portable accused Honey Berry of taking their son to see her new partner and offered to take custody of the child himself.
9. Precious Chikwendu vs. Femi Fani-Kayode
Former beauty queen Precious Chikwendu and her estranged husband, politician Femi Fani-Kayode, have been engaged in a custody battle over their four sons. In June 2022, Precious expressed optimism that the dispute would soon be resolved, thanking supporters for their encouragement during the challenging period.
The Legal Landscape: Custody in Nigerian Family Law
Under the Child’s Rights Act 2003, adopted by many Nigerian states, the welfare of the child is paramount. Courts may grant sole custody, joint custody, or access rights depending on factors such as:
- The child’s physical and emotional needs
- The parents’ moral character and capacity to provide
- The child’s own wishes (if above a certain age)
- Stability and continuity of care
In practice, custody hearings often turn into fierce battlegrounds, particularly when one parent believes the other is unsuited or unwilling to provide adequate care. For celebrities—who live much of their lives in public—the stakes are even higher, as every affidavit and courtroom appearance is scrutinized on social media and tabloid pages.
Leave a comment