Damilola, one of King Sunny Ade’s children, set off alarms on social media earlier this week. This was when she accused her stepbrother Dayo Adegeye of holding their father against his will. Since then, the question “Is King Sunny Ade missing?” has taken over the Nigerian social media.
In a now-viral post, she wrote, “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?”
Damilola didn’t stop there. She demanded that Dayo be apprehended, accusing him of “stealing” from their father and trying to escape with a UK visa. She also raised concerns about KSA’s health, citing his recent grief over the loss of a daughter and suggesting he was being medicated without proper care.
Who Is King Sunny Ade?
Born Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye in 1946, King Sunny Ade (KSA) is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most influential musicians. With a career spanning over five decades, he brought juju music, a Yoruba-rooted fusion of traditional rhythms and electric guitar, to global recognition.
Often called the “King of Juju”, KSA was the first Nigerian artist to be nominated for a Grammy, and his international hits like “Synchro System” and “Ja Funmi” introduced African music to Western audiences long before Afrobeats went mainstream. His band, African Beats, is known for elaborate stage performances and deep cultural roots.
Dayo Denies Claim of King Sunny Ade Missing
In an exclusive chat with The PUNCH, Dayo strongly denied the claims. He insisted that King Sunny Ade is fine and actively performing. He pointed to a recent event on April 26 in Victoria Island, Lagos, where the singer played at a fan’s 60th birthday celebration. According to Dayo, the juju legend also has a show scheduled for May 1 in Akure, Ondo State.
Dayo stated, “She (Damilola) is not in the right frame of mind. She called on Easter and spoke with dad for 30 minutes. I told her if she wanted to see him, she should come to Nigeria.”
He explained that he is not King Sunny Ade’s official manager but is only helping him handle business in the absence of a formal one. He said the veteran musician personally asked him to assist, and that their working arrangement wasn’t based on any official contract or salary.
Dayo stressed that King Sunny Ade remains mentally sharp and eager to perform. “He’s been doing this for 59 years. Performing keeps him alive,” he said.
Damilola’s accusations didn’t sit well with another son, David, who confirmed to reporters that their father is healthy and not being held captive. He said, “As I’m speaking with you, daddy is fine. He just finished an event. I have proof.”
David also dismissed claims that KSA is being forced to work or is in poor health.
Journalist, Olawale Olaleye Unable to Reach K.S.A
Respected journalist, Olawale Olaleye has added a twist to the ongoing saga. This was when he shared his experience trying to reach King Sunny Ade. He revealed that multiple people who previously contacted the music legend directly could no longer reach him. He tried different methods, all of which failed.
In his words, “Everyone who could reach KSA at a dial could not anymore.”
As the family feud plays out in public, fans are anxiously waiting for a statement from the man at the center of it all. Dayo promises that King Sunny Ade will speak out soon, either through social media or at his May 1 performance in Akure.
Until then, the question still lingers: Is King Sunny Ade missing, or just caught in the crossfire of a painful family dispute?
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