By Lauryne Akoth
Nigerian Afrobeats musician David Adedeji Adeleke alias Davido via Conrad Law advocates, has served Mediamax with a cease and desist defamation notice over an April Fools Day post alleging the musician’s arrest.
In the currently deleted post by Mediamax’s K24 digital platform, they alleged that Davido was arrested at the JKIA airport after law enforcement authorities found kshs 18M cocaine in his private jet, allegations to which the musician vehemently denied.
K24 published a statement indicating that Davido was not arrested but the post was in light of April Fool’s Day.
” Fool’s Day: Nigeria’s top Afrobeats musician Davido was not detained at JKIA after his Raha Fest performance. Kenyans are happy with him after he showcased his excellent skills in Nairobi.” Read the statement.
In the notice by Davido’s lawyer Anangwe Maloba, Davido faulted K24 for publishing a false article with malicious intent. “The statements found in your article are blatantly false and published with the express intent of disparaging our client.” Indicated his lawyer.
“Your statements are false and affect our client’s professional reputation by falsely stating and publishing to third parties that, among other things, our client is a narcotics user/trafficker and is engaged in activities that are criminal in nature”
His lawyer affirmed that the publication was defamatory and warranted compensation and punitive damages.
According to the Notice, Davido demanded that K24 remove from all their pages and platforms the defamatory and disparaging remarks and that K24 should cease and desist defamatory statements, whether made by Mediamax or 3rd parties.
Additionally, he demanded an unconditional apology and the admission of liability for defamation in which his lawyer would thereafter quantify damages. Lastly, he demanded that Mediamax should compensate him for the attorney fees incurred.
His attorney stated that if Mediamax fails to meet Davido’s demands within 48 hours, they will advise him to take legal action.
He also mentioned that the letter does not waive any legal, equitable, or contractual rights Davido holds against the company or any other third party who benefited from the defamatory claims.
Mediamax was also advised to preserve all evidence related to the matter while the dispute is still ongoing failure to which they will be subject to further liability.