Delta Concert: Pinnick’s firm sues Davido for N2.3b over alleged contract breach

Organisers of the annual ‘Warri Again Concert’ have filed a N2.3 billion suit at the High Court of Delta State in Effurun against Nigerian-American superstar singer, David Adedeji Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.

It is over an alleged breach of contract, which the musician denies.

Davido and his music label Davido Music Worldwide Limited are the defendants.

The claimant, Brownhill Investments Company Limited, through its lawyer Kelechi Onwuegbuchulem, in the suit numbered EHC/183/2023, is asking for N2 billion as general damages against Davido.

The claimant is also praying for N150million as legal and professional fees, and N30million as cost of filing the suit.

The claimant is also seeking an order directing the defendants jointly and/or severally to tender a public apology on all Davido’s social media accounts/handles and in two national dailies for four consecutive days to the claimant and attendees.

The claimant, in its statement of claim, averred that in early 2023, Davido met its Chairman, Mr. Amaju Pinnick, at the Abuja airport. The musician was subsequently engaged to perform at the 19th edition of the “Warri Again” event held on October 6.

The claimant stated that its Chairman was hesitant to engage the musician’s services having disappointed him on two previous occasions – the 2014 and 2019 editions of “Warri Again”.

The claimant, however, entered into a performance agreement with the defendants to perform as the headline artiste at the event.

The firm stated that in the Performance Agreement dated March 30, 2023, it was agreed that Davido’s performance fee was N70million, to be paid in full.

It averred that thereafter, US$94,500.00 (an equivalent of N70million) was paid on April 6 and was duly acknowledged by the defendants.

The claimant said after payment was made and confirmed, Davido did a promotional video confirming his attendance.

Thereafter, the claimant set in motion all promotional and advertorial machinery for the event, projecting Davido as the headline performer at the event.

The claimant stated that it expended humongous resources on print and social media adverts and promotion.

It further averred that on September 29, a week before the event, a formal letter of reminder was sent to Davido, which contained the itinerary of the private jet chartered to convey him and his team to and from Warri.

The claimant stated that it incurred additional expenses of $18,000 to secure the private jet.

It stated that on October 6, the claimant tried unsuccessfully to reach the defendants.

The claimant said it kept the private jet at the airport in Lagos on standby for the musician and his team.

The claimant added that it released a public notice that it had met all necessary performance agreements on securing the artiste and had not received any communication from the defendants.

It stated that in the course of the event, Pinnick was compelled to address and apologise to the disappointed attendees for Davido’s nonappearance.

Pinnick told them that another artiste, Crown Uzama aka Shallipopi, had been secured to perform at an extra and unbudgeted cost to make up for Davido’s absence.

The claimant said Davido claimed in an Instagram post that he informed Pinnick months ago about his inability to attend.

It averred that at no point did the defendants communicate or relate to the claimant that Davido would not attend and perform at the “Warri Again” event.

The claimant is asking for the payment of $94,500 as full payment for engaging Davido’s services.

It also prays for an order directing the defendants jointly to tender a public apology on their social media accounts/handles and in two national dailies for four consecutive days.

It further asked the court for an order of injunction restraining Davido from performing at any show/event in Nigeria until he refunds the $94,500.

Davido had taken to his social media platform to explain the situation and apologise to his fans.

“I was not going to be physically able to make it, and this had been communicated to them for a longgggg while now, I mean MONTHS ago.

“But for reasons best known to them, they continued to promote the show using my name. It’s a shame,” Davido had stated.

The dispute escalated as Davido accused Pinnick of financial misconduct during his tenure as NFF President.