United States District Court in Manhattan has summoned Nigerian music star David ‘Davido’ Adeleke to appear within 21 days in relation to a lawsuit alleging intellectual property theft.
The lawsuit, initiated on April 4, was brought forth by four Nigerian artists—Martins Chukwuka Emmanuel, Abel Great Umaru, Kelvin Ayodele Campbell, and David Ovhioghena Umaru—who claim that Davido appropriated their 2022 song “Work” to create his 2024 track “Strawberry on Ice.”
Additionally named in the suit are Sierra Leonean singer Emmerson, who featured on Davido’s song, and various other parties involved in its production and distribution.
According to court documents, the plaintiffs initially shared “Work” with Davido in January 2022 with hopes for collaboration, but they allege he instead handed the track to Emmerson, who used its elements without permission.
Read also: King Charles invites Davido to perform in England’s Commonwealth Day celebrations
Davido retracts statement made against Osun police commissioner
Davido Faces criticism over controversial remarks on Nigeria’s economy
After attempts to resolve the issue privately, the plaintiffs state that Davido agreed to a settlement on March 14, 2025, which included a $45,000 payment and an arrangement to share royalties—40% for composition and 20% for recording.
However, Davido reportedly failed to meet the March 24 deadline for this agreement. Consequently, the plaintiffs are now seeking $150,000 in damages along with legal recognition of their ownership rights, which they claim encompass 40% of the composition rights and 20% of the recording rights for “Strawberry on Ice.”
They are also requesting that the court prevent Davido and his collaborators from further infringement. As of now, Davido has not publicly responded to the lawsuit, and Wynn Records, which is also involved, declined to comment when approached by the media.
