Alleged breach of contract: Court rejects Davido’s application for stay of proceedings

The Effurun-based Delta State High Court has rejected Nigerian-American musician David Adeleke’s, widely known as Davido, request for a stay of proceedings in the N2 billion lawsuit brought against him by Brownhill Investment Company Limited concerning the annual ‘Warri Again Concert’.

The plaintiff in the lawsuit is seeking N2 billion in general damages from Davido. Additionally, they are requesting N150 million for legal and professional fees, along with an extra N30 million for filing costs.

The defendants in the case are David Adeleke, also known as “Davido,” and his music label, Davido Music Worldwide Limited.

During the court session, Davido’s legal representative, Mr. Norrison Quakers, SAN, informed the court about a pending appeal and the defendants’ motion for a stay of proceedings.

However, Quakers later requested to withdraw the motion, citing the Court of Appeal’s jurisdiction over the matter.

The plaintiff’s counsel, Kelechi Onwuegbuchulem, did not contest the motion withdrawal, and the court granted it accordingly.

In a bench ruling, the court agreed with the plaintiff’s argument that proceedings should continue in the High Court until an order staying further proceedings is obtained from the Court of Appeal.

Additionally, the court granted the plaintiff’s motion to regularize their reply to the statement of defense and instructed both parties to file Pre-Trial Conference (PTC) forms within 14 days as per court rules.

The case was adjourned to March 21, 2024, for a pre-trial conference.

Remember that Davido had contested the court’s jurisdiction in his preliminary objection, arguing that the matter shouldn’t be heard in Effurun.

However, the court rejected the preliminary objection in its decision.