Nigerian artist Davido has been summoned by the U.S. District Court in Manhattan to respond within 21 days to allegations of intellectual property theft. A group of Nigerian musicians—Martins Chukwuka Emmanuel, Abel Great Umaru, Kelvin Ayodele Campbell, and David Ovhioghena Umaru—claim Davido used their 2022 track “Work” without permission to create his 2024 release “Strawberry on Ice.”
The lawsuit, filed on April 4, includes co-defendants Emmerson (featured on the song), producers, and Wynn Records. The plaintiffs say they shared the demo with Davido in hopes of a collaboration, but instead, he allegedly repurposed elements of the song.
Davido reportedly agreed in March 2025 to pay $45,000 and share royalties (40% composition and 20% recording) but failed to meet the agreed deadline. The plaintiffs now seek $150,000 in damages, copyright transfers, and a court order to block further infringement.
Davido and his team have not responded to media inquiries.
