Court orders Runtown to pay ₦319m in Eric Many contract dispute

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja has ruled that Afrobeats singer Douglas Jack Agu, popularly known as Runtown, remains bound by his recording agreement with former label, Eric Many Limited, and ordered him to pay ₦319 million.

In a judgment delivered on July 16, 2026, Justice O. A. Musa held that the recording contract signed by both parties in June 2016 had not been lawfully terminated and therefore remained valid.

The court directed the singer to continue complying with the terms of the agreement and restrained him from taking any action that could breach the contract while the matter remains before the court.

Justice Musa also awarded ₦53 million in costs and damages to Eric Many Limited and ordered Runtown to pay an additional ₦266 million, representing the unrecovered balance of the label’s investment and expenses, bringing the total financial award to ₦319 million.

The court further ruled that the “Runtown” trademark belongs to Eric Many Records under the existing agreement, meaning the label retains ownership of the stage name. It held that any recordings, performances, tours, endorsements or other commercial activities covered by the contract must receive the label’s approval.

The legal dispute between Runtown and Eric Many Entertainment Chairman, Prince Okwudili “Dilly” Umenyiora, dates back to 2016 when the singer sought to exit the label after achieving commercial success.

Eric Many accused the artiste of breaching the agreement by accepting performance bookings, recording new songs and organising international tours without the company’s consent.

The dispute has remained one of Nigeria’s longest-running entertainment legal battles, with both parties returning to court on several occasions over the past nine years.

Despite the litigation, Runtown launched his own imprint, Soundgod Music Group, and released several projects, including Energy, For Life, International Badman Killa, Unleash, Emotions and Kini Issue.

Reacting after reports of the latest judgment emerged, the singer appeared to dismiss the ruling in a post on X.

“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 nine years I’ll give you passwords and access to my catalogue?? Lol, nice try… Keep trying!” he wrote.

Although Runtown did not directly reference the judgment, the post was widely interpreted as his response to the court’s decision and the renewed claims by his former record label.