Former NFF President sues Davido, demands N2.3b over failure to attend ”Warri Again’ show
By Jennifer S. Kuwanta
The Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and organiser of the yearly ‘Warri Again Concert’, Amaju Pinnick, has filed a N2.3 billion suit against singer Davido .
Amaju Pinnick filed the case before the High Court of Delta State in Effurun over an alleged breach of agreement/contract between them.
Listed as defendants in the suit are Davido and his music label, Davido Music Worldwide Limited.
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The claimant under the name, Brownhill Investments Company Limited, through its counsel, Kelechi Onwuegbuchulem, asked the court to award N2billion as general damages against Davido.
In the suit filed, the company asked the court for N150million as legal and professional fees, and additional sum N30million as cost of filing the suit. The company is also seeking an order directing the defendants jointly and/or severally to tender a public apology on all the 1st defendant’s social media accounts/handles and in two national daily newspapers for four consecutive days, to the claimant and attendees.
“The claimant stated that in the Performance Agreement dated March 30, 2023, it was agreed that the 1st defendant, Davido’s performance fee was N70million, which the defendants insisted must be paid in full at the time, to secure the 1st defendant’s performance at the event.
“The claimant in the suit filed said after payment was made and confirmed, the 1st defendant, Davido, did a promotional video for the 19th edition of the event slated, wherein he confirmed his attendance and live performance in Warri on October 6, 2023.
“Thereafter, the claimant set in motion, all promotional and advertorial machinery for the event, projecting the 1st defendant as the headline performer at the event. The claimant stated that it expended humongous resources on print and social media adverts and promotion for the event.
“The claimant further mentioned that on September 29, 2023, precisely a week to the slated date of the event, a formal letter of reminder was sent to the 1st defendant in respect of the event, which contained flight itinerary of the private jet chartered to personally convey the 1st defendant and his team to and from Warri, Delta State for the event. It stated that it incurred additional expenses of $18,000 to secure the private jet chartered to convey the Davido (1st defendant) and his team. It stated that on October 6, 2023, the claimant tried to reach the defendants severally but all attempts proved futile.
“Regardless, the claimant kept the private jet it chartered to convey the 1st defendant and his team to Warri, at the Airport in Lagos on standby, waiting for the 1st defendant and his team. The claimant added that it released a public notice that it had met all necessary performance agreements in respect of securing the performance of the 1st defendant at Warri Again and had not received any communication from the defendants, relating to his attendance at the event.
“The claimant added that the 1st defendant, Davido, not long after, resorted to bullying Pinnick, with his large social media influence and following by posting all manner of insults, defamatory remarks, threats and unprintable things on the accounts/handies of his Instagram, Snapchat and X (formerly known as Twitter], at its chairman.”
Consequently, Amaju and his company have asked for the payment of $94,500 as full payment for engaging the services of the 1st defendant, Davido. It is also demanding an order directing the defendants jointly to tender a public apology on their social media accounts/handles and in two national daily newspapers for four consecutive days.
It further asked the court for an order of injunction restraining the 1st defendant from performing as a musical artiste at any show/event in Nigeria until he refunds the sum of $94,500.
