The High Court in Delta State has rejected Davido’s request for a stay of proceedings in a breach of contract case filed against him by Brownhill Investment Company Limited. The case stems from Davido’s alleged failure to appear at the Warri Again event in 2023.
Brownhill Investment Company Limited, organizers of the annual Warri Again event, are seeking 2 billion naira in general damages from Davido. They are also requesting N150 million for legal and professional fees, as well as an additional N30 million for the cost of filing the suit.
Davido’s lawyer, Mr. Norrison Quakers, SAN, had applied for a stay of proceedings, arguing that the case was pending before the Court of Appeal, which is a superior court of record. However, the court rejected the application, stating that proceedings would continue until an order staying further proceedings is obtained from the Court of Appeal.
Additionally, the court granted a motion seeking to regularize the claimant’s reply to the statement of defense and directed that Pre-Trial Conference (PTC) forms be filed within 14 days. The case has been adjourned to March 21, 2024, for a pre-trial conference.
Davido’s lawyers had previously attempted to have the case dismissed by challenging the court’s jurisdiction, arguing that the action should have been filed in a court in Effurun. However, the court dismissed the preliminary objection.
The dispute arose after former NFF President Amaju Pinnick, representing Brownhill Investment Company Limited, informed attendees at the event that Davido had failed to honor the contract despite receiving a down payment and a chartered private jet to convey him to Warri. Davido responded on social media, stating that the event clashed with his concert in New Zealand and that the organizers were aware of the situation but chose to use his image to promote the event.