Veteran juju singer King Sunny Ade has dismissed claims made by his daughter Damilola Adegeye that he is missing.
Damilola, who lives abroad, took to social media in a series of posts accusing her stepbrother Dayo of holding their 78-year-old father hostage and mismanaging his career.
“Dad told my brother that he wants to go home. Where is he? Where are his phones? He has not been online or picking his calls. Where is he?” she wrote in one post.
In another, she demanded Dayo’s arrest, alleging financial misappropriation.
“I want Dayo (manager) apprehended. I want him to provide all the money they have been stealing from him. He has a UK visa, thinking he can run,” she stated.
Responding in an interview on Tuesday, Dayo denied the allegations and said King Sunny Ade is in good health.
“She (Damilola) is not in the right frame of mind for her to have made those posts,” he said.
“On Easter Sunday, she called me and said she wanted to speak with dad, because she doesn’t live in Nigeria. I gave the phone to my dad, and they spoke for about 30 minutes. I then told her that if she wanted to see him, she could come to Nigeria.”
He also clarified that he is not officially his father’s manager but only assists him when necessary. He added that the music legend would release a statement soon.
Another son of the icon, David, also dismissed Damilola’s claims, saying, “As I’m speaking with you, daddy is fine.
He is not working under duress. He just finished an event. I can tell you with proof and evidence that he is fine.”
On Tuesday, King Sunny Ade addressed the situation on Instagram, writing:
“Contrary to the falsehood and fabricated news dated 28th April, 2025 peddled by Damilola Esther Adeniyi-Adegeye and her Associates who declared that I was missing, I hereby state as follows:
“1. That I, Dr. Sunday Adeniyi-Adegeye MFR, also known as King Sunny Ade, am alive and well.
2. The falsehood about my disappearance or being missing by Damilola Esther Adeniyi-Adegeye and her cohorts are completely false.
3. I am alive, well and grateful for the love and support of my Fans, thanks for your concern.
4. It is very important to address the falsehood and fabricated news by Damilola Esther Adeniyi-Adegeye and her associates and to assure the general Public and loved ones that I am alive and safe.
5. Lastly, I utilize this medium to admonish the Blogger(s) responsible for this mischievous act alongside those that take undue privileges to trample on my hard earned reputation and image to desist forthwith otherwise be prepared to face the wrath of the Law.
6. Thank you and God bless all.”
Born in 1946, King Sunny Ade is a pioneer of juju music with a career spanning over five decades.
He was the first Nigerian artiste to be nominated for a Grammy Award and is known for blending traditional Yoruba rhythms with contemporary music.
