The Nigerian music star denies the recent legal ruling and retains control of his music catalogue
A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja ordered Nigerian singer Runtown to pay ₦319 million to Eric Many Limited on July 16, 2026. The judge ruled their 2016 contract remains valid. However, Runtown quickly rejected the judgment online and refused to surrender his music catalogue.
A long legal dispute between Afrobeats star Runtown and his former label has reached a new peak. The singer recently lost a major court case in Abuja over his music contract.
Sources confirm the court commanded the artist to pay massive financial damages to Eric Many Limited. Despite the strict legal ruling, the singer publicly laughed off the decision. He also promised his fans that he will release new music very soon.
Heavy financial penalty
Justice O. A. Musa delivered the strict judgment on July 16, 2026. The judge declared the original 2016 contract between both parties remains completely valid.
The court ruled Runtown never ended the agreement properly according to the legal terms. This decision stops the singer from taking actions that violate the deal. The legal battle continues to unfold in the Nigerian capital.
Eric Many Limited received a massive financial win from the recent court order. The judge awarded the music company ₦53 million to cover legal costs and damages.
Runtown must also pay an extra ₦266 million to the record label. This amount covers unrecovered investments and past expenses for the company. The massive addition pushes the total financial penalty to exactly ₦319 million.
Trademark loss and career impact
The court also ruled the record label fully owns the Runtown trademark. This means the singer must follow strict contract rules for all his recordings and tours.
The bitter fight with Eric Many Chairman Prince Okwudili Umenyiora started back in 2016. Runtown tried to leave the record company abruptly. This simple disagreement quickly sparked a massive legal war in the entertainment industry.
The artist kept his music career alive through his own Soundgod Music Group. He dropped massive chart hits like Energy, For Life, and International Badman Killa.
Fans also enjoyed popular tracks like Unleash, Emotions, and Kini Issue over the years. The singer took long breaks from the public eye during this time. He recently started making new appearances to plan his big musical return.
Singer rejects legal claims
ValidUpdates understands the singer quickly dismissed the new court ruling on social media. Runtown accused the record label boss of spreading lies to the general public.
”Back outside ! So not going to let any agenda run …Mr Dilly ,every year you try to deceive people with fake court orders … you think after 9 years ,I’ll give you passwords and access to my catalogue ?? lol nice try …. Keep trying !” The singer wrote on X.
He also replied to a user who told him to surrender his passwords. The artist made it very clear he plans to release new tracks soon. He insisted no legal document will stop his upcoming musical projects.
”I have no problems or restrictions from dropping songs ,like I said “HE IS BACK OUTSIDE “” The star declared online.
