Court Rejects Davido’s Application for Stay of Proceedings in Alleged Breach of Contract Case

“Delta State High Court Denies Davido’s Stay of Proceedings in N2 Billion Lawsuit over ‘Warri Again Concert’
Nigerian-American singer Davido, also known as David Adeleke, faces legal action from Brownhill Investment Company Limited. The claimant seeks N2 billion in general damages, N150 million in legal fees, and an extra N30 million for filing the suit.”
“The defendants named in the lawsuit are David Adeleke, also known as ‘Davido,’ and his music label, Davido Music Worldwide Limited. During the hearing, Davido’s counsel, Mr. Norrison Quakers, SAN, informed the court about a pending appeal and the defendants’ motion for a stay of proceedings. Quakers also mentioned that the defendants had received the claimant’s counter affidavit regarding the motion for stay.”

However, he applied to withdraw the motion and submitted that the Court of Appeal had become seized with authority over the proceedings pending before the lower court. Claimant counsel, Kelechi Onwuegbuchulem, did not oppose the application to withdraw the motion, and the court granted the same accordingly.

In a bench ruling, the court upheld the claimant’s argument, stating that until an order staying further proceedings is obtained from the Court of Appeal, the High Court will continue with proceedings in the case. The court also granted the motion on notice seeking to regularize the claimant’s reply to the statement of defense and scheduled a Pre-Trial Conference within 14 days in line with court procedures. The court adjourned the case to March 21, 2024, for further proceedings.

Recall that Davido had, in his preliminary objection, challenged the jurisdiction of the court, arguing that the case should not take place in Effurun.

The court also granted the 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 in accordance with the court rules. The court adjourned the case to March 21, 2024, for a pre-trial conference.

Despite Davido’s preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court and arguing that the case should not take place in Effurun, the court dismissed the objection in its ruling.