Popular Nigerian singer, David ‘Davido’ Adeleke, has been summoned by a U.S. court to answer charges of intellectual property theft and a failure to settle a $45,000 debt. This legal dispute stems from a lawsuit filed by four Nigerian artists who accuse Davido of stealing their 2022 song “Work,” which he allegedly used to create his 2024 track “Strawberry on Ice.”
The case, which has attracted significant attention, is set to unfold in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The court has given the singer 21 days to appear before the judge to respond to the serious accusations. The lawsuit, filed on April 4, names Davido as the first defendant, along with Emmerson Amidu Bockarie (known professionally as Emmerson), who was featured on “Strawberry on Ice.” Also named in the suit are other individuals and entities, including Carlos Jenkins, Matthew Quinney, Marques Miles II, and Wynn Records, the company responsible for publishing and distributing the controversial song.
The dispute reportedly began in January 2022, when the plaintiffs—Martins Chukwuka Emmanuel, Abel Great Umaru, Kelvin Ayodele Campbell, and David Ovhioghena Umaru—gave Davido a demo of their song “Work” with the hopes of collaborating with the internationally renowned artist. According to the plaintiffs, their goal was to use the opportunity as a platform to achieve a major breakthrough in the music industry.
However, the plaintiffs claim that Davido did not enter into any agreement with them to collaborate. Instead, they allege that he took their demo to Emmerson, who subsequently sampled both the instrumental and vocal elements of “Work” to produce “Strawberry on Ice.” The plaintiffs have argued that this act was done without their permission or knowledge.
Following the alleged theft, the plaintiffs attempted to contact Davido to resolve the matter amicably. After months of unsuccessful communication, they were finally able to meet with the singer. On March 14, 2025, an agreement was reportedly made between the plaintiffs and Davido, wherein the musician promised to pay a lump sum of $45,000 as settlement for the dispute.
As part of the agreement, Davido also agreed to give the plaintiffs a share of the royalties from the song. Specifically, he promised to pay 40% of the royalties for the underlying composition of “Strawberry on Ice” and 20% of the royalties for the sound recording of the track.
Unfortunately, despite the agreement, Davido failed to fulfill his commitment. The plaintiffs assert that Davido did not make the agreed-upon payment by the deadline of March 24, 2025. As a result, they were left with no other option but to take legal action.
The plaintiffs are now seeking compensation in the form of $150,000 in damages for the alleged theft of their intellectual property. In addition to the monetary damages, the plaintiffs are asking the court to rule that Davido and his co-defendants infringed upon the copyright of their song “Work.” They are also requesting the court to transfer a 40% share of the compositional copyright of “Strawberry on Ice” and a 20% share of the sound recording copyright to them. Furthermore, they are calling for a legal order to prevent Davido and the other defendants from further violating their copyrights in the future.
The legal battle highlights the growing issue of intellectual property theft within the global music industry, particularly when it comes to unauthorized sampling and use of another artist’s work. Copyright infringement cases such as this one have become more common as the music industry continues to grapple with digital distribution, unauthorized remixes, and unauthorized sampling.
The case has significant implications for the Nigerian music industry, which has been gaining recognition on the global stage. Nigerian artists have enjoyed increasing success internationally, with collaborations, performances, and chart-topping hits. However, this legal battle serves as a reminder of the importance of intellectual property protection, not just for Nigerian artists, but for the music industry as a whole.
While Davido is widely recognized as one of Nigeria’s biggest music stars, this legal case could tarnish his reputation if the accusations are proven true. It also raises questions about the practices and ethical standards within the music industry, particularly regarding collaboration and the ownership of creative works. For emerging artists in Nigeria, the case may also serve as a cautionary tale on the importance of safeguarding their intellectual property rights.
Another key aspect of the case is the involvement of Wynn Records, the music agency responsible for distributing “Strawberry on Ice.” Music agencies and record labels play an integral role in the success of an artist’s career, but they also have a responsibility to ensure that the rights of all involved parties are respected. The plaintiffs’ legal team has made it clear that they intend to hold both Davido and Wynn Records accountable for their involvement in the alleged theft.
As this case unfolds in court, the music industry will be closely watching to see how it impacts the larger conversation about copyright infringement and intellectual property theft. With the rise of streaming platforms and digital music production, the need for clear contracts and proper authorization before using another artist’s work has never been more pressing.
