He dismissed the report as entirely false and fabricated.
Nigerian music legend, Dr. Sunday Adeniyi-Adegeye, widely known as King Sunny Ade, has publicly refuted claims by his daughter, Damilola Esther Adeniyi-Adegeye, alleging that he was missing.
He dismissed the report as entirely false and fabricated.
Damilola had earlier raised an alarm, claiming her father was “missing” and directly accusing his manager and stepson, Dayo Adegeye, of being responsible.
Damilola stated that the 78-year-old music icon had been unreachable for weeks, claiming his manager had been moving him from one hotel to another while deliberately isolating him from his immediate family.
The troubling accusations surfaced on Monday, April 28, 2025, when media personality @Akanbitheduke took to Instagram to raise concern, citing desperate efforts by close associates to locate the veteran musician.
In a series of emotional social media posts, Damilola accused the manager and his alleged accomplices of administering sleeping pills to the septuagenarian under the guise of treating insomnia, while exploiting him financially.
She claimed they had taken control of his finances, coerced him into accepting performance bookings beyond his capacity, and denied him access to his home and office.
However, in a statement posted to his official Instagram page on Tuesday, the legendary juju musician firmly denied the allegations made by his daughter and her associates.
“Contrary to the falsehood and fabricated news dated 28th April, 2025 peddled by Damilola Esther Adeniyi-Adegeye and her Associates who declared that I was missing, I hereby state that I, Dr. Sunday Adeniyi-Adegeye MFR, also known as King Sunny Ade, am alive and well,” he wrote.
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He continued, “The falsehood about my disappearance or being missing by Damilola Esther Adeniyi-Adegeye and her cohorts are completely false. I am alive, well and grateful for the love and support of my Fans, thanks for your concern.”
He emphasised the need to set the record straight to prevent further damage to his reputation.
“It is very important to address the falsehood and fabricated news by Damilola Esther Adeniyi-Adegeye and her associates and to assure the general public and loved ones that I am alive and safe,” he stated.
The music legend, widely celebrated as one of Africa’s most influential artists, also issued a stern warning to bloggers and individuals spreading the false claims.
“Lastly, I utilise this medium to admonish the bloggers responsible for this mischievous act alongside those that take undue privileges to trample on my hard earned reputation and image to desist forthwith otherwise be prepared to face the wrath of the law,” he warned.
Also, in a video he recorded to confirm that he was alive and safe, the music icon said, “I thank God and my people all over the world.
“My children want to see me. When I took some time off to rest, they felt they did not see me, but I thank God.
“Nobody kidnapped me, and I didn’t kidnap myself. I have to thank the whole world- you, my fans.”
