Years after the death of popular musician and evangelist, Sunny Okosuns, the controversy of a love child has hit the family, as his known children disowned an ex-Miss Earth and current Nigeria Project Director of Exquisite Face of Africa, Ethel Okosuns.
Ethel, who was Miss Earth 2005, had in an interview in September, linked herself to the late music icon, claiming to be his daughter and narrating her father-daughter experiences with the musician.
However, a statement released by Sidney Okosuns, eldest son of the late musician, denied recognising Ethel as one of their father’s children. The family asked her to submit herself for DNA examination if she was very sure of her claim.
“In these days of scientific proof, we demand that Ms. Ethel submit to a DNA test to prove us otherwise,” the statement read. “The Okosuns family would pay for any DNA that would end this fraudulent identity theft.”
They claimed that this was not the first time she was using the Okosuns’ image and likeness to her advantage, saying she had continually used the name to achieve whatever affluence she sought. According to the family, she had wondered into their home, pleading with their father for shelter, which he gave her only to come up with false claims.
“We wish to state categorically that Ms. Ethel IS NOT our sibling. She is not the daughter of our father. Our father had four children: Sidney Okosuns, Michael Okosuns, Adesuwa Okosuns and Ebony Okosuns,” the statement affirmed.
“She needs to stop identifying herself as the daughter of the Ozziddi great musician. Years ago, Ms. Ethel as a teenager wondered into our Yaya Abatan home. Our parents ran a liberal attitude home, welcoming visitors and strangers to our sprawling Ogba Estate.
“Thus, our home was always busy with people from all walks of life. Ms. Ethel walked into our home, pleaded with my dad that she wanted to sing and had no other place to live in Lagos.
“My parents welcomed her to our compound, offered her unconditional food, shelter and love. She never left for several years. The generosity and kindness of providing her food and shelter does not give her automatic birth right to the Okosuns.”
