The Effurun-based Delta State High Court has denied Nigerian-American artist David Adeleke, often known as Davido, a stay of proceedings in the N2 billion case filed against him by Brownhill Investment Company Limited over the yearly ‘Warri Again Concert’.
The plaintiff in the complaint seeks N2 billion in general damages from Davido. They are also asking N150 million in legal and professional fees, as well as an additional N30 million for filing charges.
The defendants in the lawsuit are David Adeleke, or “Davido,” and his music label, Davido Music Worldwide Limited.
During the court session, Davido’s legal representative, Norrison Quakers, SAN, informed the court about a pending appeal and the defendants’ motion for a stay of proceedings.
However, Quakers later asked to withdraw the move, citing the Court of Appeal’s jurisdiction in the case.
Kelechi Onwuegbuchulem, the plaintiff’s counsel, did not oppose the motion to withdraw, and the court allowed it.
In a bench ruling, the court agreed with the plaintiff’s position that the proceedings should continue in the High Court until the Court of Appeal issues an injunction suspending further proceedings.
Furthermore, the court allowed the plaintiff’s move to regularise their response to the statement of defence and ordered both parties to file Pre-Trial Conference (PTC) papers within 14 days, as per court rules.
The case has been scheduled for a pre-trial conference on March 21, 2024.
Remember that Davido opposed the court’s jurisdiction in his preliminary objection, claiming that the case should not be heard in Effurun. However, the court dismissed the preliminary objection in its decision.