Song theft: Davido gets 21-day court order to respond to accusations

A U.S. federal court has given Nigerian music superstar David ‘Davido’ Adeleke 21 days to respond to a copyright infringement lawsuit accusing him of stealing a song from a group of Nigerian artists.

The case, filed at the United States District Court in Manhattan on April 4, was brought by Martins Chukwuka Emmanuel, Abel Great Umaru, Kelvin Ayodele Campbell, and David Ovhioghena Umaru.

The four allege that Davido copied their 2022 song Work to create his 2024 track Strawberry on Ice.

Also named in the lawsuit are Sierra Leonean artist Emmerson (Emmerson Amidu Bockarie), who featured on the song, and other contributors including Carlos Jenkins, Matthew Quinney, Marques Miles II, and Wynn Records, the label responsible for publishing and distributing the track.

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According to court documents, the plaintiffs initially shared Work with Davido in January 2022 in hopes of securing a collaboration. However, they allege that instead of working with them, Davido gave the song to Emmerson, who then “sampled its vocals and instrumentals to create Strawberry on Ice without permission.”

After attempts to resolve the matter privately, the plaintiffs claim the Grammy nominee reached a settlement agreement on March 14, 2025.

The deal reportedly included a payment of $45,000 and a royalty breakdown—“40% for the song’s composition and 20% for the recording.” However, Davido allegedly failed to meet the agreed March 24 deadline for honoring the settlement.

As a result, the plaintiffs are asking the court for $150,000 in damages and legal recognition of their contributions: “40% of the compositional rights and 20% of the recording rights for Strawberry on Ice.” They are also seeking an injunction to prevent the “Feel It” crooner and his collaborators from further infringement or similar actions in the future.

Davido has yet to make a public statement regarding the lawsuit, while Wynn Records also declined to comment when contacted.

Song theft: Davido gets 21-day court order to respond to accusations

Give me N100m, I’ll fight Anthony Joshua – Portable

Nigerian street-hop sensation Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has opted out of his planned celebrity boxing match with fellow artiste Darlington Achakpo Okoye, a.k.a. Speed Darlington.

The controversial singer made the announcement in a video posted to his Instagram page, where he dismissed Speed Darlington as an unworthy opponent and instead called out former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua.

“I’m not fighting Speed Darlington again; I want Anthony Joshua with 100m,” Portable declared in the viral clip.

He went further to suggest that Speed Darlington was only leveraging the proposed bout to promote his upcoming show scheduled for April.

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He also boasted about his superior status in the music scene, claiming he is bigger and more influential than Speed Darlington, who was released from Kuje Prison in January after being detained for allegedly defaming Afrobeat star Burna Boy.

This dramatic twist comes just days after Speed Darlington began training in preparation for the now-cancelled match. In a mocking video posted online, he was seen buying a coffin before heading to the gym with his trainer — a move many interpreted as a jab at Portable.

The rapper had also been spotted throwing punches and working on his fitness in anticipation of the clash.

The highly anticipated celebrity boxing event was scheduled to take place on April 18, 2025, at the Balmoral Convention Center in Lagos State. However, Portable’s decision to pull out has cast uncertainty over the bout, effectively putting an end to the showdown between the two entertainers — at least for now.

Give me N100m, I’ll fight Anthony Joshua – Portable

Davido announces date for white wedding with Chioma

Nigerian music superstar, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has officially revealed the date for his much-anticipated White Wedding with wife, Chioma Rowland-Adeleke.

The announcement comes ten months after the couple’s lavish traditional wedding, which took place in June 2024 at the prestigious Eko Hotels in Lagos.

The event was graced by celebrities, dignitaries, and close friends, making it one of the most talked-about weddings of the year.

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In a recent interview on The Breakfast Club, Davido confirmed that the White Wedding will be held in August 2025. The singer expressed excitement about the upcoming celebration, hinting that it will be another grand affair.

“I’m doing my white wedding in Miami, in August this year.

“Our traditional marriage shut down Nigeria because our relationship was in the public eye, and a lot have happened, apart from losing our child,” Davido stated.

Davido announces date for white wedding with Chioma