Afrobeats icon David Adedeji Adeleke.
Afrobeats icon David Adedeji Adeleke, better known by his stage name Davido, has filed a preliminary objection to contest the N2.3 billion breach of contract lawsuit that Brownhill Investments Company Limited, led by Mr. Amaju Pinnick, filed against him and his record label, Davido Music Worldwide Limited.
Davido was the target of a N2.3 billion lawsuit brought by Pinnick, the former president of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), in the High Court of Delta State, Effurun, for allegedly breaking a contract.
On October 6, 2023, Davido was scheduled to perform at the 19th edition of the “Warri Again” event. However, he failed to show up for the event, despite having been paid US$94,500 (roughly N70 million) in advance. As a result, the claimants are specifically asking the court to award the amount as general damages against Davido.
They claimed that in addition, they had to pay an extra $18,000 to rent a private jet for Davido, the first defendant, and his group, but he declined to attend the performance.
Davido contested the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case during the suit’s reopened hearing in an attempt to postpone it.
The artiste based his preliminary objection on the fact that the case is about debt recovery and that the claimant should have written a letter of demand before going to court.
In addition, he asserted that Sosoberokon does not act as his agent or carry out contract negotiations on his behalf.
The singer acknowledged receiving $94,500, but he clarified that the money was only for show promotion. The singer maintained that he was not paid for the performance and that Soso was not his agent.
Davido, through his legal team led by Mr. Norrison Quakers (SAN), Senior Advocates of Nigeria, filed a preliminary objection in the related criminal defamation case, contesting the court’s jurisdiction on the grounds that the statements were published online. However, the claimant failed to provide evidence that the statements were downloaded and viewed in Delta State, which would have granted the court jurisdiction.
Davido, through his legal team led by Mr. Norrison Quakers (SAN), Senior Advocates of Nigeria, filed a preliminary objection in the related criminal defamation case, contesting the court’s jurisdiction on the grounds that the statements were published online. However, the claimant failed to provide evidence that the statements were downloaded and viewed in Delta State, which would have granted the court jurisdiction.
Mr Kelechi Onwu, a senior partner at Alegeh & Co., the legal practise of Mr Austine Alegeh (SAN), the former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), is in charge of Pinnick’s legal team.
Strong signs, nevertheless, suggest that Davido has recruited a large number of Nigerians to pressure Pinnick to drop the lawsuit.
According to information obtained by THISDAY, Pinnick and a number of prominent Nigerians, including three, are already in negotiations to see whether an out-of-court settlement can be reached by both sides.
According to what has been learned, Pinnick is adamant about pursuing the lawsuit because of Davido’s attempt to damage his well-deserved reputation in spite of his transparent and spotless career as the former President of the NFF and his current position with FIFA, which demands honesty and integrity.
Discovered that Pinnick is under increased pressure from his friends, associates, and foreign partners to file a lawsuit in the US against Davido and his associates for alleged fraud and cyberbullying, given that Davido is also an American.
They brought up P-Diddy’s and R-Kelly’s current struggles, with the former serving a lengthy sentence in jail for similar offences and the latter facing numerous investigations, accusations, and lawsuits pertaining to alleged sexual abuse and rape.
In their opinion, Davido could atone for his transgressions in the US, where the legal system is reputable and open, as he has no desire to restrain his excesses and proclivity for crime.