The yearly ‘Warri Again Concert’ organizers have filed a lawsuit against Nigerian superstar singer, David Adedeji Adeleke, known as Davido, along with his music label, Davido Music Worldwide Limited, over an alleged breach of agreement/contract.
The claimant, represented by Brownhill Investments Company Limited, filed a N2.3 billion lawsuit in the High Court of Delta State in Effurun, over allegedly Davido’s refusal to show at an event he had collected money to perform.
Listed as defendants in the suit are Davido and his music label, Davido Music Worldwide Limited.
In the suit numbered EHC/183/2023, the claimant is seeking a general damages award of N2 billion against Davido, as well as N150 million for legal and professional fees, and an additional N30 million as the cost of filing the suit, as reported by Vanguard News.
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The claimant is also seeking an order directing the defendants jointly and/or severally to tender a public apology on all the 1st defendant’s social media accounts/handles and in two national daily newspapers for four consecutive days, to the claimant and attendees.
The claimant, in its statement of claim, averred that sometimes in early 2023, the 1st defendant approached its chairman, Mr. Amaju Pinnick, when they met at the Abuja Airport, to engage his (1st defendant’s) services for the 19th edition of the “Warri Again” event held on October 6, 2023.
The claimant stated that its chairman was hesitant to engage the services of the 1st defendant for the event as the defendant had disappointed him on two previous occasions – the 2014 and 2019 editions of “Warri Again”, where he did not show up to perform after he had been paid for the events and he was compelled to make refunds thereafter.
The claimant believing that the 1st defendant had turned a new leaf, entered into a performance agreement with the defendants, for the 1st defendant to perform as the headline artiste at the 19th edition of Warri Again, slated to hold on October 6, 2023 in Warri, Delta State.
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The claimant stated that in the Performance Agreement dated March 30, 2023, it was agreed that the 1st defendant’s performance fee was N70million, which the defendants insisted must be paid in full at the time, to secure the 1st defendant’s performance at the event.
It averred that thereafter, the sum of US$94,500.00 (an equivalent of N70million) was paid on April 6, 2023 and same was duly acknowledged by the defendants.
After payment was made and confirmed, the 1st defendant did a promotional video for the 19th edition of the event slated, wherein he confirmed his attendance and live performance in Warri on October 6, 2023.
Consequently, it is asking for the payment of $94,500 as full payment for engaging the services of the 1st defendant.
It is also demand an order directing the defendants jointly to tender a public apology on their social media accounts/handles and in two national daily newspapers for four consecutive days.
It further asked the court for an order of injunction restraining the 1st defendant from performing as a musical artiste at any show/event in Nigeria until he refunds the sum of $94,500.