A high court in Abuja has ruled that singer Douglas Jack Agu, known as Runtown, remains bound by his 2016 recording contract with Eric Many Limited and must pay more than N319 million for breaching it.
In an enrolment order dated July 16, Justice O.A. Musa held that the agreement signed in June 2016 is still valid and has not been lawfully terminated.
The court found that Runtown breached the deal by unilaterally leaving the label’s management, allowing his company Sparrow Media to handle bookings, collaborating with foreign artists on the songs “Call Me” and “Weekend” without proper notice, and attempting to trademark his professional names.
Musa issued a perpetual injunction restraining the singer from recording, performing or undertaking commercial musical activities outside Eric Many’s management until he fulfils his obligations. The court also ordered him to deliver master recordings for one album to the label.
Runtown was directed to pay N266,694,755.08 as the outstanding balance of the label’s investment and expenses, plus N50 million in general damages and N3 million in costs, with 10 per cent annual interest until full payment.
“A declaration is made that the 1st defendant is in breach of clause 8 of the recording agreement dated 22nd June, 2016 when he unilaterally opted out of the claimant’s management,” the order stated.
The long-running dispute began after Runtown sought to exit the contract in 2016. Eric Many, owned by businessman Okwudili “Dilly” Umenyiora, accused the artist of accepting bookings, releasing music and planning tours without approval.
