Nigerian singer Runtown ordered to pay N319m in contract breach ruling

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja ruled that Douglas Jack Agu, known as Runtown, remains bound by his 2016 recording agreement with Eric Many Limited. The court issued a perpetual injunction restraining him from recording, performing or any commercial musical activity outside the label’s management until he fulfills his obligations. Runtown was ordered to deliver master recordings for one album and to pay N266,694,755.08 in outstanding investment, N50 million in general damages, plus court costs and interest, totaling more than N319 million.

The singer responded on X, dismissing the judgment and stating he will not hand over access to his music catalogue, accusing the label’s founder Okwudili Umenyiora of “fake court orders.” The dispute, which began in 2016, has involved multiple courts in Nigeria and the United States and continues to affect the artist’s career and the label’s business.