Warner Music, one of the world’s largest entertainment conglomerates, is being petitioned by a coalition of Nigerian music entrepreneurs and may soon be joined in an ongoing criminal lawsuit over the alleged illegal sale of early Burna Boy catalogue as the takedown deadline expires.
Lagos-based law firm, Creative Legal, solicitors to 960 Music Limited, told media in Nigeria, that they formally notified Warner Music Group, global distributor for Spaceship Music/Burna Boy, of the serious dispute concerning the purported transfer of Burna Boy’s early
catalogue — specifically the albums “L.I.F.E” (2013) and “Redemption”
(2016).
A spokesperson for Creative Legal says they’re demanding on behalf of 960 Music that WMG immediately suspend all distribution,
marketing, monetisation, licensing, synchronisation, or other commercial
exploitation of the works pending judicial determination in Nigeria.
‘Warner has yet to acknowledge or respond to our petition, and we are considering all options right now, including adding them to the suit if they do not engage reasonably.
The lawyers maintain that 960 Music, the largest shareholder of Aristokrat Records, Burna Boy’s former label, was neither notified of nor consented to the alleged assignment of the catalogue by Aristokrat Records Nigeria Limited to Spaceship Music Limited, owned by Burna Boy.
The transaction, which was executed without board or
shareholder approval, is the subject of active civil proceedings before the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt Judicial Division (Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/188/2024 – 960 Music Ltd v. Aristokrat Records Nigeria Limited
& Ors.). The reliefs sought include nullification of the assignment and
refund of sale proceeds.
Additionally, criminal proceedings have been initiated arising from the same transaction (Charge No. FHC/L/1087/2025 – Commissioner of Police v.
Aristokrat Records Nigeria Limited & Anor.), involving allegations of
fraudulent conversion and related offences.
The solicitors demanded that WMG:
Immediately suspend all distribution and monetisation of the albums
“L.I.F.E” and “Redemption”;
Refrain from entering into any new licensing, synchronisation,
publishing, distribution or sub-distribution arrangements relating to
the said works;
Preserve all financial records, royalty statements and accounting
documents relating to the exploitation of the catalogue; and
Provide written confirmation of compliance within seven (7) days of
receipt of the notification email.
Barrister Justin Ige, managing partner at Creative Legal, confirmed that the firm had not received a formal compliance notification at the expiration of the deadline and awaits further instruction from its client, 960 Music Limited.