- The United States District Court in Manhattan issued a stern 21-day ultimatum to Nigerian music icon David ‘Davido’ Adeleke on April 4, 2025
- Four Nigerian artists—Martins Chukwuka Emmanuel, Abel Great Umaru, Kelvin Ayodele Campbell, and David Ovhioghena Umaru—dragged Davido to court
- Alongside Davido, Sierra Leonean artiste Emmerson Amidu Bockarie and several others, including Wynn Records, faced the legal heat
On April 4, 2025, the United States District Court in Manhattan dropped a legal bombshell on Nigerian Afrobeat superstar David ‘Davido’ Adeleke, giving him just 21 days to face the music over a copyright lawsuit.
The case, steeped in accusations of intellectual property theft, saw four Nigerian artistes—Martins Chukwuka Emmanuel, Abel Great Umaru, Kelvin Ayodele Campbell, and David Ovhioghena Umaru—haul Davido before the court, alleging he nicked their 2022 song “Work” to produce his 2024 banger Strawberry on Ice.
Davido has been given a 21-day ultimatum by a U.S. court to answer song theft allegations. Photo Credit:@davidoSource: Instagram
The plaintiffs didn’t stop at Davido; they roped in Sierra Leonean singer Emmerson Amidu Bockarie, who featured on the track, as well as Carlos Jenkins, Matthew Quinney, Marques Miles II, and Wynn Records, the outfit behind the song’s release.
The drama kicked off back in January 2022 when the four artists, eager for a big break, shared their demo “Work” with Davido, hoping he’d jump on board for a collaboration.
Instead, court documents revealed a twist: they claimed Davido handed the track over to Emmerson, who then sampled its vocals and instrumentals to whip up “Strawberry on Ice”—all without their nod.
For months, the plaintiffs chased Davido to settle the matter quietly, and on March 14, 2025, he reportedly agreed to cough up $45,000 and dish out 40% of the song’s composition royalties and 20% of its recording royalties.
But when the March 24 deadline rolled around, Davido allegedly left them high and dry, prompting the legal showdown.
What does Davido stand to lose?
The artists weren’t playing small; they demanded $150,000 in damages and asked the court to cement their claim to 40% of Strawberry on Ice’s compositional rights and 20% of its recording rights.
Beyond the cash and credits, they pushed for a judicial slap-down—an order barring Davido and his crew from further meddling with their work or pulling similar stunts down the line.
As of April 10, 2025, Davido stayed mum on the matter, leaving fans and the industry buzzing with speculation.
See the post here:
Reactions to US lawsuit against Davido
@passwordtv_ replied:
“All these wahala for song wey no sweet 😭”
@yanta.my.water_ said:
“Song no still blow 😂😂😂”
@cindy_flakes replied:
“Anytime Davido is happy ,una must find a way to do otherwise,una Dey forbid other been happy?🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🙄”
@cecilia__remi replied:
“Looks like Davido is about to learn the hard way.. You see why Wizkid loves writing his own songs”
@linqwa_ noted:
“If na me steal ur song sè u go carry me go court😂…….una too 8 that man eeen”
@classy_commy said:
“U people should leave my Fave alone abeg !”
U.S court gives Davido a 21-day ultimatum to address song theft allegations. Photo Credit: @davidoSource: Twitter
Davido reacts to slapping bouncer accusations
TheTalk.NG once shone a light on a piece detailing how Davido addressed rumours swirling around an alleged altercation at his lavish wedding to Chioma Rowland, denying claims he’d slapped a bouncer.
It painted a picture of the singer clearing the air amid the buzz of his star-studded nuptials.
The report captured the frenzy of fans dissecting every move of the Afrobeat kingpin during one of his life’s biggest moments.
Source: TheTalk.NG
