Efforts to move forward in the legal dispute between 960 Music Group and Aristokrat Records suffered another setback after proceedings at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, were postponed due to the defendant’s absence.
The matter, which centres on the ownership and sale of Burna Boy’s early music catalogue, has attracted significant attention across the Nigerian entertainment industry, particularly among investors, artists, and record executives who see the outcome as potentially far-reaching.
At the latest hearing, the court was forced to adjourn the criminal case after Piriye Isokrari, founder of Aristokrat Records, did not appear. The case has now been moved to April 20, extending a series of delays that have slowed attempts to reach clarity on the dispute.
960 Music Group, which previously invested in Aristokrat, is challenging the circumstances surrounding the reported transfer of Burna Boy’s old catalogue to his current outfit, Spaceship Music. The company alleges that the transaction was carried out without its knowledge or approval.
According to filings linked to the investigation, the charges include allegations of fraudulent conversion and breach of fiduciary duty. Authorities are said to be examining claims that proceeds from what has been described as a multi-million-dollar sale were not properly remitted through official company structures.
The absence of the defendant in court has continued to frustrate observers who believe the case could set important precedents for how contracts, investments, and intellectual property are handled within Nigeria’s rapidly expanding music business.
Industry stakeholders have been watching closely, as many artists’ early works often involve complex agreements between labels, financiers, and management teams. A judicial interpretation in this matter could influence how future partnerships are structured and how exit arrangements are negotiated.
The case was initially called in December and later pushed to February. With the fresh adjournment, attention will now shift to whether the next sitting will finally allow the court to hear substantive arguments.
For now, what remains certain is that the question of who controls the rights to some of Burna Boy’s formative recordings is far from settled.
