Omotayo Adigun
A public dispute has emerged among the children of legendary juju musician, Sunday Adegeye, popularly known as King Sunny Ade (KSA), regarding his current well-being, whereabouts, and management.
Damilola Esther Adegeye, a daughter of the iconic singer and guitarist, has taken to social media platforms to voice serious allegations against her step-brother, Dayo Adegeye. In a series of posts, Damilola accused Dayo of effectively holding their father “hostage” and booking him for musical performances without fulfilling the engagements or remitting the earnings appropriately.
Referring to Dayo as KSA’s “manager,” Damilola called for his apprehension, accusing him of “stealing” from their father. One of her posts questioned KSA’s location and communication access, stating, “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?”
Another post directly accused Dayo, stating, “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.”
However, Dayo Adegeye, in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, vehemently denied these allegations, asserting that their father is “hale and hearty.” He clarified that he is not KSA’s “official manager” but has been assisting his father in that capacity.
Dayo provided details of KSA’s recent activities, stating, “On Saturday (April 26, 2025), my dad performed at the 60th birthday party of a fan… He still had rehearsals with members of his band last week. He will perform in Akure (Ondo State capital) on May 1.”
Dayo suggested that Damilola’s social media posts were not made “in the right frame of mind,” recounting a recent phone conversation between her and KSA.
He expressed his disapproval of her public accusations against their father, stating, “The moment she started making nasty comments about dad, she crossed the line. You cannot speak ill of my father and expect me to still reckon with you, no matter who you are.”
Dayo also indicated that King Sunny Ade himself would release an official statement within 24 hours to address the allegations and provide clarity on the situation. He extended an invitation to join KSA at his Akure performance on May 1 for direct interaction and clarification.
READ ALSO: Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy Set to Drop Joint Track — Iyanya
Clarifying his role, Dayo explained that he is merely “helping out” in the absence of an official manager, emphasizing that he has his own businesses and is not on KSA’s payroll. He stated that this arrangement was at KSA’s request and that his father is “extremely comfortable” with his assistance.
Dayo framed his actions as a way of “paying him back for all the things he has done for me,” highlighting KSA’s enduring passion for performing.
Another son of King Sunny Ade, David Adegeye, also refuted Damilola’s claims, asserting in a separate interview with The PUNCH, “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 evidences that he is fine.”
David expressed his readiness to provide further information to allay any concerns.
Contrasting these accounts, a respected journalist, Olawale Olaleye, shared on social media that King Sunny Ade had become inaccessible to individuals who were previously in regular contact with him.
Olaleye recounted that Damilola had reached out to him expressing concerns about her father’s well-being and lack of communication. He also mentioned an instance where an associate sought his help in contacting KSA for a booking but was unable to reach him through usual channels.
Olaleye noted the sudden inaccessibility of KSA to his known contacts, leading him to eventually “give up” on the matter.