Four Nigerian artists accuse Afrobeats star of breaching intellectual property rights and violating a settlement deal
Nigerian Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has been summoned by a United States federal court to respond to serious allegations of intellectual property theft and breach of contract, following a lawsuit filed by four fellow Nigerian musicians.
According to court filings obtained by People’s Gazette and reviewed on Thursday, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York issued the summons ordering Davido to appear within 21 days. Plaintiffs Martins Chukwuka Emmanuel, Abel Great Umaru, Kelvin Ayodele Campbell, and David Ovhioghena Umaru allege that Davido unlawfully used their 2022 track Work as the basis for his 2024 release, Strawberry on Ice.
From Hopeful Collaboration to Legal Fallout
The plaintiffs claim they originally shared a demo of Work with Davido in January 2022, aiming to collaborate with the award-winning artist as a way to break into the global music scene. Instead, they allege, the singer replicated substantial portions of the song without credit or authorization, co-producing a new track with Sierra Leonean singer Emmerson Amidu Bockarie, known professionally as Emmerson.
The lawsuit names Emmerson alongside Davido, as well as Carlos Jenkins, Matthew Quinney, Marques Miles II, and Wynn Records — the label responsible for distributing Strawberry on Ice. The suit alleges that both instrumental and vocal components from the original demo were used in the final track, constituting clear infringement.
Settlement Reached — and Broken?
In their filings, the plaintiffs claimed that after months of unsuccessful attempts to contact Davido, the parties finally reached a settlement agreement on March 14, 2025. The terms included a $45,000 payout to the artists and a grant of 40% of the compositional royalties and 20% of the sound recording royalties from Strawberry on Ice.
However, the plaintiffs allege Davido failed to fulfill the terms of the agreement — specifically, the payment deadline of March 24, 2025. This breach prompted the group to initiate formal legal action on April 4.
What the Plaintiffs Want
The lawsuit seeks a declaration that Davido and his co-defendants infringed upon the plaintiffs’ intellectual property rights and violated the agreed settlement. In addition to $150,000 in damages, they are also requesting:
- A court-ordered transfer of 40% of the compositional copyright and 20% of the sound recording copyright of Strawberry on Ice
- An injunction prohibiting the further use, distribution, or monetization of the song
- Protection against future copyright infringements by any of the named defendants
As of press time, Davido has not issued a public response to the lawsuit. Wynn Records also declined to comment on the case.
A Potential Precedent
This case could prove to be a significant test of how intellectual property disputes involving African artists are handled in international courts. It also adds to the growing scrutiny surrounding the music industry’s handling of creative ownership, particularly in the cross-border digital age.
Davido, one of Africa's most prominent music exports, has not previously been publicly embroiled in such a legal dispute. The outcome of this case could carry implications for his career, brand reputation, and financial interests in global music markets.