Amaju Pinnick Sues Davido for N2.3bn, Demands 4-Day Public Apology
Former Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) President Amaju Pinnick has filed a lawsuit against Afrobeat singer Davido, seeking N2.3 billion in damages and a four-day public apology for an alleged breach of contract.
The complaint stems from a failed agreement between the two parties on Davido’s appearance at the ‘Warri Again?’ show in Delta State set for October.
Amaju Pinnick, the owner of Brownhill Investments Company Limited, the entity in charge of organizing the yearly ‘Warri Again?’ event, commenced the legal processes by filing a suit at the Delta State High Court in Effurun, with the case number EHC/183/2023.
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.
Subsequently, 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.
It said, however, that all efforts to get in contact with Davido and his group on October 6, 2023, the day of the event, were ineffective, and that the private plane that was scheduled to transport Davido and his group to Warri at the Lagos Airport was left available in case they later turned up at the airport.
As a result, Pinnick’s business is requesting payment of $94,500 in full for contracting Davido’s services which he failed to deliver.