The Nigerian musician Spyro has accused the music executive Ubi Franklin of defrauding him of a Ghanaian performance money.
Spyro revealed in an interview with the Echoroom podcast how Franklin reportedly tricked him into performing at a birthday celebration in Ghana by pretending that Davido had asked him to.
He said Franklin did not pay him after the event, even though he had agreed to perform for a $5,000 fee.
Spyro said that Franklin disregarded his numerous attempts to collect the money, including bringing Pastor Bolaji into the situation.
The singer expressed his disappointment and frustration with Franklin’s actions, stating that “it was painful to be taken advantage of”.
“I have an issue with Ubi Franklin. He is one of those few people I respect. Until recently, he called me in the morning and said he was in Ghana for Iyanya’s birthday. I told him I would come, and we should celebrate the birthday together,” he said.
“When we got to the airport, he told me there would be some performances at the party, and I told him no. And thankfully, I had Swavey with me. I told him I do nothing outside my manager. He also tried to persuade me.
“We got there, and I met with David. I wanted to release ‘Stand By You’ at the time. So, we left David’s place and went to the apartment. I was producing a song with Iyanya, and Ubi came and said David said I should come to perform at the birthday party and that he would give us $5k. I told him the least I charged for the Nigerian amount was N20 million. Secondly, I can’t leave out my management. And because David said we were going to see later to do a promo for ‘Stand By You’.
“I told Ubi to let me get to my management and hear what they say. On getting there, David returned from the stage, and Ubi told me I was going on stage. At that point, I could not decline because there were dignitaries there. The MC also called me on stage.
“I performed. Right after, I asked Ubi for my money. He did not communicate with me till we got to Lagos. The people I performed with were also posting on social media. Ubi just kept posting me. It was becoming a mess.
“I stepped out of it and gave him a date. It was not about the money; he was taking me for a fool. He told me not to call David because he did not ask him to come and perform. He also brought Pastor Bolaji into the matter.
“To date, there has been no chat or call from Ubi. It is painful because you go all around scamming people of their money. I am saying this to protect other artistes who may fall victim to this.”
However, Ubi Franklin refuted the claims, calling them false information meant to harm his reputation.
He retorted that Spyro owed him N10.5 million, which was 10% of the price of the car he assisted Spyro in buying.
Ubi Franklin offered to settle the debt by balancing the $5,000 Spyro was holding in exchange for him paying the commission that was due.
He said:
“I will not allow anyone to destroy my name. And please, it’s time you all stop trying to use David’s name to make your story sweet or get people to pay attention to your story.
“Why would I tell David’s friend who is a growing artiste that David said when I know you have direct links to him? How does this make sense?
“I don’t even understand this at all and gullible people will believe ( I have never used David to take anything from anyone ) you want to use me to start your PR for the year, it’s not me cos a lot is at stake and I won’t let you do that.
“Pay me my 10% from the car I helped you buy and told you to pay me my 10% you said I should wait till you finish paying. I know you have finished paying since December. Kindly credit me the balance cos I have 5k dollars meant for you and you have N10.5m meant for me. If we do plus and minus, you owe me N2.5million cos 5k Dollars is 8m.”
