Amaju Pinnick, former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has sued musical artiste Davido for ₦2.3 billion over a failed appearance at an event.
Pinnick, who served as president of the Nigerian football governing body between 2014 and 2022, helped book Davido to appear at the 19th edition of Warri Again, an entertainment concert that takes place annually in Warri, Delta State.
Davido, who was responsible for one of the 2022 FIFA World Cup anthems and who performed said anthem at the final on 18 December 2022, did not show up, costing the NFF former boss reputation points.
Breach of Contract: Amaju Pinnick Sues Davido, Demands N2.3bn and Public Apology
The claimant is also asking the court for N150 million and N30 million in legal fees. https://t.co/YDm26AVLk3 pic.twitter.com/79JWIFG5jS— ARISE NEWS (@ARISEtv) November 1, 2023
Life after NFF: Amaju Pinnick and Davido at loggerheads over failed concert performance
Since leaving the NFF, Amaju Pinnick has fully dabbled into many areas of life outside his football administration responsibilities with CAF and FIFA.
In 2023, his entertainment outfit, Brownhill Events, a subsidiary of his Brownhill Investments Company, handled the planning for Warri Again, a concert which brings the best entertainers from far and wide to the people of Delta State for one night of fun and memories. It is one of the biggest events in Nigeria and the 2023 one had an interesting lineup.
Pinnick alleged that Davido, who is a close acquaintance of his, harped on him to be given a performance slot at the 2023 edition which was held in October 2023. In the end, Pinnick, through his Brownhill Events outfit, booked Davido and paid him $94,500 (approximately ₦70 million) on 6 April 2023, which was acknowledged by Davido and his entourage.
However, attendees of the concert were left disappointed when Davido did not show up and Pinnick had to take to the stage in a viral video claiming that the music artiste failed to uphold his end of the bargain.
Davido, however, took to social media to claim that he had communicated his absence on the day to Pinnick and Brownhill Events but that he continued to be used for promotion of the event. Davido also accused Pinnick of mismanagement during his time as NFF president, claiming that he will only pay any refunds to a football cause.
There have been several back and forths on the issue since then, culminating in a ₦2.3 billion which the former NFF president is now demanding from Davido.
The motion was filed before the Delta State high court and Pinnick is also demanding ₦150 million as legal and professional fees alongside apologies in national dailies from the music artiste and his entourage.
NFF news: Breach of contract allegations levelled against Super Falcons manager
Former NFF president Amaju Pinnick may be battling Davido in the court of public opinion and preparing to battle him in the court of law, but he could be facing another battle soon.
This is due to the latest incident surrounding embattled Super Falcons manager Randy Waldrum.
The manager, who was appointed by the Pinnick-led administration of the NFF was accused of breaching his contract just before the Nigeria women's national football team thrashed Lucy of Ethiopia 4-0 to set up a third round meeting with Cameroon in the CAF Women's Olympics qualification tournament.
🏴FULL TIME! in Abuja 📍
🇳🇬 Nigeria 4-0 Ethiopia 🇪🇹
We are through to the next round of the #OlympicQualifiers. We await second round winners between Cameroon and Uganda.
Thanks for your support 🙏🤍🤗#SoarSuperFalcons | #NGAETH| #Paris2024 | #OlympicsQualifiers pic.twitter.com/lPoWYdvCHX
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) October 31, 2023
Waldrum failed to show up for the Addis Ababa trip and the Abuja victory, claiming that he had to tend to personal matters. The NFF came out with claims of their own, stating that Waldrum, who is on a monthly $10,000 retainership for his services to the Super Falcons, was seen working with the University of Pittsburgh women's football team, who he also handles at the same time as the Super Falcons' game.
His contract, as signed when Pinnick was at the helm of affairs of the NFF, was to expire on 31 October, when the Super Falcons faced Ethiopia, a match he did not show up for. This means another lawsuit may be waiting for Pinnick amidst his row with Davido.
This article was most recently revised and updated 10 months ago
