Following the issue between singer Zeez and his former record label, HF Music being dragged to court back in 2015, a verdict has finally been reached.
The ‘Same ni’ crooner, has been ordered by a Lagos High court to refund the sum of N22.3 million Naira to HF Music following his inability to adhere to his contract with them.
HF Music, was said to have sued the singer for his failure to record songs as earlier contained in his contract.
According to a legal document obtained by Pulse on the issue, it states that:
The presiding judge, Honourable Justice B.A. Oke-Lawal (Mrs) in the case brought before the High Court of Lagos State, ordered that Zeez, real name Kingsley Elikpo, should refund the sum of N22,378,605.70 (Twenty-Two Million, Three Hundred and Seventy-Eight Thousand, Six Hundred and Five Naira and Seventy Kobo) being the total amount spent by HF Music through various advances made to and on his behalf, from the commencement date of his contract with the label until the point when it was breached by him.
A source at HF Music who spoke with Pulse said:
This judgment is expected to have serious implication on the Nigerian music industry, as record label owners and investors can now feel safe investing in artistes, knowing that their investment is protected by the law. On the other hand, artistes are now expected to sit-up and take their contractual obligations more serious, knowing that breaching their contract might turn out to be a career ending move.
As at the time of this report neither HF Music nor Zeez has commented on the latest legal development.
