A U.S. District Court in Manhattan has ordered Nigerian music icon Davido to respond within 21 days to a copyright lawsuit accusing him of using another artist’s work without approval. The lawsuit, filed on April 4, centers on claims that Davido’s recent song, Strawberry on Ice, unlawfully borrows from a track submitted to him in 2022 by a group of Nigerian musicians.

Musicians Say Their Work Was Misused

Martins Chukwuka Emmanuel, Kelvin Ayodele Campbell, David Ovhioghena Umaru, and Abel Great Umaru allege that they originally shared the song with Davido for a potential collaboration. Instead, they claim, the Afrobeats star used elements of their instrumental and lyrical content in his own release—without obtaining their consent or giving them credit.

Sierra Leonean Artist Also Implicated

Also named in the lawsuit is Sierra Leonean artist Emmerson, who is accused of contributing to the track using parts of the same original song. The plaintiffs assert that both Davido and Emmerson reproduced vocals and instrumentals from their copyrighted material.

Alleged Settlement Agreement Was Not Honored

The legal filing also states that in March 2025, Davido agreed to resolve the matter by paying $45,000 and granting a 40% share in royalties. However, according to the complainants, he did not follow through with the terms of the agreement. After failed negotiations and no payment, the artists moved forward with legal action and have since raised their financial demands.

Court Awaits Davido’s Official Response

Davido must now respond to the court within the set timeframe or risk the case moving forward without his input. The lawsuit raises serious concerns about intellectual property rights in the music industry and could have significant implications for the artist’s brand and future releases.