Popular socialite and businessman, Pascal Okechukwu, widely known as Cubana Chiefpriest, has expressed readiness to undergo a DNA test in an effort to resolve a long-running paternity dispute involving a Kenyan woman, Hellen Ati.
The development comes after months of public exchanges, social media campaigns and allegations surrounding claims that Chiefpriest fathered Ati’s son following an alleged encounter in Lagos several years ago.
Chiefpriest made his position known on Monday through a series of comments posted on Instagram after a viral video of Ati appealing for help was discussed during a national television program.
In the emotional video, Ati said she had reached a breaking point after allegedly raising the child alone since birth. She claimed that the boy was ill and that she had spent her resources on medical treatment and daily care.
According to her, she is struggling financially and emotionally and wants the businessman to accept responsibility if the child is indeed his.
The video quickly gained attention on social media, with many users calling on both parties to settle the matter through a DNA test.
Responding to the growing pressure, Chiefpriest declared that he was willing to undergo the test publicly.
“Make Una help me bring her and the child for una studio make I come there come do the DNA for una on live TV for free,” he wrote.
His comment was seen by many followers as the clearest indication yet that he is prepared to participate in a paternity test, provided the woman and child are brought to a venue where the exercise can take place.
The businessman’s response came after several Instagram users urged him to put an end to the controversy that has continued to generate public attention since it first emerged.
One user, identified as @emem_kemskelly_ukem, criticised the prolonged dispute and advised him to submit to a DNA test for the sake of his reputation and family.
“Go and do DNA Pascal. This rubbish is too bad on your image as a well-known person. Even on your family too. This DNA thing should have been done since before it escalated to this level. Una no get any atom of shame,” the user wrote.
Reacting to the comment, Chiefpriest maintained that he would not provide money or support to individuals making allegations against him online without proof.
He argued that anyone claiming he fathered a child should present the child directly rather than repeatedly making videos on social media.
“Celebrity no suppose get shame. Shebi na my money una dey hustle like this. One thing na to make money, another thing na to protect am from urchins like you people. If you have a child for me too bring it to any of my outlets or my residence,” he wrote.
The socialite also questioned why he should send money to someone he said he does not know simply because allegations were being made online.
“Make I send person wey I no know money on top say you dey create content with my name and image online. So this looks normal to you? If you born for person bring am to the person, no use am dey do video,” he added.
Chiefpriest further insisted that the burden of proving paternity lies with the claimant.
“Bring me the child. Na you dey find papa for your pikin, me I’m not looking for my child, so I’m not spending anything to help you. Na una dey find billionaire papa for una pikin. Wetin e get to do with my money? I’m here, come to me,” he wrote.
The paternity dispute between Chiefpriest and Ati has remained in the public eye since 2023.
Ati has repeatedly alleged that her son was conceived after a brief encounter with the businessman during a visit to Lagos in 2022.
According to her, she became pregnant after the meeting and later gave birth to a baby boy in January 2023.
Since then, she has consistently maintained that Chiefpriest is the biological father of the child and has repeatedly called for a DNA test to establish the truth.
She has also claimed that she has been left to shoulder the responsibilities of raising the child alone.
In previous social media posts and interviews, Ati alleged that she reached out to the businessman after childbirth complications and requested assistance.
According to her, Chiefpriest allegedly sent her about N300,000 in instalments to help with baby supplies and other immediate needs, despite allegedly denying that he was the child’s father.
Those claims have not been independently verified.
Chiefpriest has consistently denied knowing Ati personally or fathering her child.
He has repeatedly described the allegations as false and has accused the woman of attempting to damage his reputation, family life and public image.
The controversy gained renewed attention in January 2025 during a highly publicised online dispute between Chiefpriest and Grammy-winning singer, Burna Boy.
During the feud, Burna Boy openly supported Ati’s demand for a DNA test and reportedly offered to help facilitate her travel to Nigeria so that the matter could be resolved.
However, the proposed arrangement did not materialise, and the issue remained unresolved.
Over the past year, Ati has continued to use social media platforms to renew her appeal for a DNA test. She has also reached out publicly to some of Chiefpriest’s associates, friends and family members while seeking support for the child.
The matter has generated widespread debate among Nigerians, with opinions divided between those who believe a DNA test should be conducted immediately and those who argue that allegations alone should not be treated as proof.
Whether the latest development finally brings an end to a dispute that has lasted for more than three years remains to be seen, but many observers believe a DNA test could provide the answers both parties.