Serious concerns have been raised over the wellbeing of Nigerian music icon, King Sunny Ade (KSA), following allegations by one of his daughters, Damilola Esther Adeniyi-Adegeye, that the Juju maestro may have been isolated from his family and the public.
Damilola claimed that KSA has been unreachable for an extended period and alleged that his manager, Dayo, who is also his half-brother, along with other siblings, might have “abducted” him under the guise of managing his affairs. She further alleged that the group had been booking KSA for performances which he later failed to honour, damaging his longstanding reputation.
According to Damilola, her last contact with her father left her deeply worried, as he reportedly sounded distressed before the call was abruptly ended. Since then, all attempts to reach him have been unsuccessful.
The concerns emerged after a Nigerian from Osun State planning a 90th birthday celebration sought KSA’s participation but found him similarly unreachable, highlighting the growing difficulty in accessing the legendary musician.
In a series of campaigns on her Instagram page (@adeniyidamilola), Damilola has called for public intervention, tagging the Nigerian Police and listing names and pictures of those allegedly involved. Despite her efforts, she claims her cries for help have been largely ignored.
Observers are urging the Nigerian Police and other relevant authorities to investigate the matter promptly. Many have emphasized the need for KSA to make a public appearance to confirm his safety and wellbeing. They also call on those managing his affairs to explain why he has been kept away from his family and why he allegedly continues to be scheduled for performances he cannot fulfill.
Given KSA’s legendary status as a global ambassador of Nigerian music, stakeholders insist he must be treated with the utmost respect and care.
Efforts to contact the accused parties for their side of the story have been ongoing, as fairness demands all allegations be thoroughly investigated before conclusions are drawn.
The public has been urged to remain vigilant and support any genuine efforts aimed at safeguarding the welfare of the beloved King Sunny Ade.
