Dayo, Sunny Ade’s son dismisses his fathers missing report

By Aderinola Abimbola

Popular Nigerian Juju Musician, King Sunny Ade has recently been reported missing by his daughter Damilola Esther.

Damilola said this in a post where she accused her step brother Dayo of holding their father hostage.

Dayo, however has addressed the rumours stating thar their father Sunny Ade is hale and hearty. He also dismissed accusations of fraud levied against him by Damilola.

Damilola had earlier accused Dayo who she claimed was King Sunny Ade’s manager of stealing from him.

“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?” one of her posts read.

Another post stated: “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, in an interview with The Punch, Dayo dismissed the claims, describing them as false and unfounded.

“The allegation is false,” Dayo said. “On Saturday, April 26, 2025, my dad performed at the 60th birthday of a fan at 16 Musa Yar’Adua Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. He also had rehearsals with his band last week and is scheduled to perform in Akure on May 1.”

Dayo said Damilola was not in the right frame of mind when she made the posts, adding that she lives abroad and last spoke with their father on Easter Sunday.

“She called me and said she wanted to speak with dad. I gave him the phone and they spoke for about 30 minutes. I told her that if she wanted to see him, she should come to Nigeria.”

He also criticised her for making disparaging remarks about their father.

“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. Even my mother wouldn’t do that. Why would you go on social media and call daddy names?”

Clarifying his role, Dayo denied being the official manager of King Sunny Ade.

“I’m not his official manager. I just assist my father. I have my own businesses. I don’t have an employment letter and I’m not on any payroll,” he said, adding that King Sunny Ade would release an official statement within 24 hours and invited the public to his upcoming performance in Akure for any clarifications.

Another sibling of Dayo and Damilola also confirmed that Damilola’s claims were baseless.

Despite the rebuttals, some close associates of King Sunny Ade have expressed concern that he has become inaccessible, with many saying they have been unable to reach him recently.