The Delta State High Court has rejected Nigerian singer Davido’s request for a stay of proceedings in the two billion naira breach of contract lawsuit filed against him by Brownhill Investment Company Limited.
In the lawsuit, the claimant is seeking N2 billion in general damages against Davido, along with N150 million for legal and professional fees and an additional N30 million for the cost of filing the suit.
The defendants in the case 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 filed a motion for a stay of proceedings. However, he later withdrew the motion, stating that the Court of Appeal had jurisdiction over the matter.
The claimant’s counsel, Kelechi Onwuegbuchulem, did not oppose the withdrawal of the motion, and the court granted it accordingly.
In a bench ruling, the court agreed with the claimant’s argument, stating that proceedings would continue in the High Court until an order staying further proceedings is obtained from the Court of Appeal. The court also granted a motion seeking to regularize the claimant’s reply to the statement of defense and directed the filing of Pre-Trial Conference (PTC) forms within 14 days as per court rules. The case was adjourned to March 21, 2024, for a pre-trial conference.
It’s worth noting that Davido had previously challenged the court’s jurisdiction, arguing that the case should not be heard in Effurun. However, the court dismissed this preliminary objection in its ruling.