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.
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.
READ ALSO: “Bros Calm Down O, Hustle No Get Landlord”: Davido Drops Inspirational Nugget, Netizens React
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.
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.
READ ALSO: Davido Seen in the Studio With American Musician, Nasir Jones
As of April 10, 2025, Davido stayed mum on the matter, leaving fans and the industry buzzing with speculation.
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Reactions to US lawsuit against Davido
@passwordtv_:
“All these wahala for song wey no sweet 😭”
@yanta.my.water_:
“Song no still blow 😂😂😂”
@cindy_flakes:
“Anytime Davido is happy, una must find a way to do otherwise, una Dey forbid other been happy?🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🙄”
@cecilia__remi:
“Looks like Davido is about to learn the hard way.. You see why Wizkid loves writing his own songs.”
@linqwa_:
“If na me steal ur song sè u go carry me go court😂……. Una too 8 that man eeen.”
@classy_commy:
“U people should leave my Fave alone abeg!”
@passwordtv_:
“All these wahala for song wey no sweet.”
@slxy_junior_:
“That money in wan use buy Belgium make in use am pay lawyer.”
@big_clints:
“Lol competing with who pass you know good na the result be this.”
@shoes_by_demokraft:
“Abeg, How can a 30bg be a Fc within 5minutes😭.”
@sweetlady_vee__:
“Which one be straw berry on ice? The song trend at all?”
@chidera_dennis_:
“Always on the internet for scandals nd usel*ss stuff , other artistes trend when they achieve mile stones musically , this one only trends when he’s in one problem or the other… D difference btw Davido nd portable na just money and packaging… Real talk but him fans go attack me now even when dem know say na deep truth.”
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