By Cynthia Johnson
The annual Warri Again Concert organizers have sued singer, David Adedeji Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, and his music label, Davido Music Worldwide Limited, for N2.3 billion over an alleged breach of contract.
In a lawsuit with the number EHC/183/2023 filed at the High Court of Delta State in Effurun, Brownhill Investments Company Limited through its lawyer, Kelechi Onwuegbuchulem, is claiming that Davido failed to show up to perform at the 19th edition of the Warri Again event on October 6, 2023, despite being paid in full.
As reported by QUEST TIMES, the claimant alleges that Davido had previously disappointed them on two occasions by failing to show up to perform at the 2014 and 2019 editions of the Warri Again event.
However, believing that Davido had turned a new leaf after approaching its Chairman, Mr. Amaju Pinnick, when they met at the Abuja Airport, the claimant entered into a performance agreement with the singer for the 19th edition of the event.
According to the claimant, Davido was paid N70 million for his performance fee, and he even did a promotional video for the event confirming his attendance. However, on September 29, 2023, a week before the scheduled date of the event, Davido failed to respond to the claimant’s reminders.
Also on October 6, 2023, the day of the event, Davido failed to show up, despite the claimant having chartered a private jet to convey him to Warri.
The claimant therefore alleges that Davido’s absence caused a huge financial loss to the company, as they had already spent a lot of money on advertising and promotion for the event.
Also stated was that in the course of the event, Pinnick was compelled to address and apologise to the event attendees for the nonappearance and performance of Davido and his crew. Thus, the claimant is seeking damages for the emotional distress caused by Davido’s actions.
Added to the N2.3 billion in damages, the claimant is also seeking an order directing Davido to tender a public apology on his social media accounts and in two national daily newspapers for four consecutive days.
Consequently, the claimant is seeking an order of injunction restraining Davido from performing as a musical artiste at any show or event in Nigeria until he refunds the sum of $94,500.