Damilola Esther Adeniyi-Adegeye, daughter of renowned Nigerian juju musician King Sunny Ade, has raised alarm over her father’s whereabouts, accusing his manager and stepbrother, Dayo Adegeye, of isolating him. Damilola claimed the 78-year-old music icon had been unreachable for several weeks, alleging that Dayo was moving him from one hotel to another, cutting him off from close family members.
Concerns about Sunny Ade’s situation became public on Monday, April 28, 2025, after media personality @Akanbitheduke shared the story on Instagram, highlighting efforts by friends and associates to locate the veteran artist. Family insiders suggested that KSA, as he is affectionately known, is being kept away under suspicious conditions, with allegations that he is being forced to continue performing despite battling health issues and the emotional toll from the recent death of one of his daughters.
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Reports indicated that the last time Damilola managed to speak with her father, he sounded troubled, but their conversation was abruptly cut off when the phone was taken from him. Since then, all attempts to reach him have reportedly failed.
In a series of emotional social media posts, Damilola accused Dayo and his associates of administering sleeping pills to Sunny Ade to manage his insomnia while exploiting him financially. She alleged that they were controlling his finances, coercing him into performances he was too weak to undertake, and denying him access to his own home and office.
“They are hiding him in hotels, away from his loved ones, drugging him, and forcing him to perform even as he mourns. I want my father freed from their grip,” she wrote.
Screenshots of conversations between Damilola, other family members, and Dayo have surfaced online, adding to the growing public concern.
Meanwhile, a close associate of Sunny Ade, who spoke anonymously to Legit.ng, refuted the allegations, describing them as baseless. The aide claimed the music legend was spotted recently performing at an event in Lagos but did not offer further proof to allay fears about his condition.
Efforts by SaharaReporters to reach Clement Ige, the manager of KSA’s radio station, for comments have so far been unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or text messages.
