Davido reportedly challenges Amaju Pinnick's N2.3 billion lawsuit

Davido finally responds to Amaju Pinnick's lawsuit with a preliminary objection.

Afrobeats sensation David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has lodged a preliminary objection to contest a N2.3 billion breach of contract lawsuit initiated against him and his music label, Davido Music Worldwide Limited, by Brownhill Investments Company Limited and its Chairman, Amaju Pinnick.

Pinnick filed the N2.3 billion suit in the High Court of Delta State, Effurun, alleging a breach of agreement or contract by Davido. The former President of the Nigerian Football Federation and his company sought the court to award the amount as general damages. This was due to Davido's alleged refusal to honour an agreement to perform at the 19th edition of the “Warri Again” event on October 6, 2023. Despite receiving US$94,500 (equivalent to N70 million), Davido failed to appear, and additional expenses of $18,000 were incurred to secure a chartered private jet for him and his team.

As per information from "ThisDay," during the latest court session, Davido, represented by his legal team, submitted a motion contesting the court's jurisdiction. His preliminary objection asserted that the case falls under debt recovery and contended that the claimant should have issued a letter of demand before resorting to legal action. Furthermore, Davido claimed that music executive Sosoberokon is not his agent and does not negotiate performance contracts on his behalf.

While acknowledging receipt of the $94,500, Davido maintained that the payment was specifically for promoting the show, denying any payment for his performance.

In a parallel case involving criminal defamation, Davido's legal team, led by Norrison Quakers (SAN), also filed a preliminary objection challenging the court's jurisdiction. They argued that the allegedly defamatory statements were published online, but the claimant failed to demonstrate that they were downloaded and viewed in Delta State, a prerequisite for the court's jurisdiction.

Both cases have been adjourned to December 14, 2023, for the court to rule on the preliminary objections. Additionally, in the N500 million defamation case against Israel, a staff member of Davido, no defence was filed on behalf of Israel. The court has already granted an injunction restraining Israel from making any defamatory statements against Pinnick.