Afrobeats superstar, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has filed a preliminary objection to challenge the N2.3 billion breach of contract suit filed against him and his music label, Davido Music Worldwide Limited, by Brownhill Investments Company Limited and its Chairman, Amaju Pinnick.
Pinnick had filed the N2.3 billion suit before the High Court of Delta State, Effurun, against Davido for an alleged breach of agreement/contract.
In the lawsuit, the Former President of the Nigerian Football Federation NFF and his company asked the court to award the amount as general damages against Davido, following his refusal to honour the agreement and contract reached with him to perform at the 19th edition of the “Warri Again” event on October 6, 2023, for which he failed to appear after collecting the sum of US$94,500 (an equivalent of N70million). They stated that they also incurred additional expenses of $18,000 to secure the private jet chartered to convey Davido (1st defendant) and his team, yet he refused to show up for the show.
ThisDay reported that at the resumed hearing of the suit, Davido through his counsel filed a motion challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter.
In his preliminary objection, the artiste premised his response on the grounds that the case is a debt recovery matter and that the claimant ought to have written a letter of demand first before rushing to court. He further claimed that music executive, Sosoberokon is not his agent and does not negotiate performance contracts on his behalf.
While the singer claimed that he was not paid for the show and that Soso is not his agent, he however admitted receiving the payment of $94,500 but stated that the sum was payment for only promotion of the show.
In the sister case bordering on criminal defamation, Davido through his team of lawyers led by Norrison Quakers (SAN) Senior Advocates of Nigeria, also filed a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court on the grounds that the defamatory statements were published online but the claimant did not show that the defamatory statements were downloaded and viewed in Delta State to give the court jurisdiction.
Both matters have been adjourned to December 14, 2023, for the court to rule on the preliminary objections filed in both cases.
Also, in the N500 million defamation case filed against Israel, Davido’s Staff, no defence was filed on behalf of Israel and the court has already granted the application for an injunction restraining Israel from making any defamatory statements against Pinnick.