- Amaju Pinnick, former NFF President, files a ₦2.3 billion lawsuit against Davido over a failed concert appearance.
- The lawsuit demands ₦2 billion in damages, ₦150 million for legal fees, and ₦30 million for filing costs.
- Pinnick’s legal team seeks a four-day public apology from Davido on social media and in newspapers.
The former president of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has taken legal action against the Afrobeat singer, Davido, demanding a substantial sum of N2.3 billion in damages and a four-day public apology for an alleged breach of contract.
The lawsuit is in connection with a failed agreement between the two parties concerning Davido’s appearance at the ‘Warri Again?’ show in Delta State, which was scheduled to take place in October.
Amaju Pinnick, who is also the owner of Brownhill Investments Company Limited, the entity responsible for organizing the annual ‘Warri Again?’ event, initiated the legal proceedings by filing the suit, marked EHC/183/2023, at the Delta State High Court in Effurun.
According to reports, the claimant, represented by attorney Mr. Kelechi Onwuegbuchulem, is seeking ₦2 billion as compensation from Davido and his music label for alleged damages resulting from the singer’s failure to appear at the scheduled show.
Additionally, Amaju Pinnick’s company is requesting the court to award ₦150 million as legal and professional fees, along with an extra ₦30 million to cover the costs associated with filing the lawsuit.
The lawsuit takes an unusual twist as Amaju Pinnick’s legal team is also urging the court to order Davido to issue a public apology.
They want the singer to make this apology on his social media accounts and in two national daily newspapers for four consecutive days.
According to the statement of claim submitted by the claimant, Davido approached Pinnick at the Abuja Airport in early 2023, expressing interest in being contracted for the 19th edition of the “Warri Again Concert,” scheduled for October 6, 2023.
Despite initial reluctance, Pinnick agreed to the arrangement, and they settled on a performance fee of ₦70 million.
On April 6, 2023, a payment of US$94,500.00, equivalent to ₦70 million, was made, and the defendants acknowledged the receipt of this payment. S
ubsequently, Davido recorded a promotional video for the event. However, on the day of the show, the singer did not fulfill his commitment, leaving organizers and attendees disappointed.
The claimant alleges that they invested substantial sums in print and social media advertising and promotions for the event.
In a further twist, on September 29, 2023, just a week prior to the event, Davido received a formal reminder letter and flight itinerary for a private jet chartered to transport him and his team to and from Warri, incurring an additional $18,000 in costs.
Despite these efforts, the claimant was unable to contact Davido and his team on the day of the event, October 6, 2023. The private plane chartered for their transportation to Warri remained available at the Lagos Airport in case they decided to attend.
Amaju Pinnick’s company now demands the full payment of $94,500 for the contracted services that Davido failed to deliver.