A legal dispute over Burna Boy’s early music catalogue has intensified, with Warner Music Group now facing pressure to suspend distribution activities and potentially be drawn into ongoing legal proceedings.
Lagos-based law firm, Creative Legal, acting on behalf of 960 Music Limited, said it has formally notified Warner Music Group over the alleged transfer of Burna Boy’s early catalogue, specifically the albums L.I.F.E (2013) and Redemption (2016).
The firm stated that it is demanding the immediate suspension of all distribution, marketing, monetisation, licensing and related commercial activities tied to the works.
According to a spokesperson for Creative Legal, Warner Music has yet to respond to the petition.
“We are considering all options right now, including adding them to the suit if they do not engage reasonably,” the spokesperson said.
The lawyers argue that 960 Music Limited, which owns a 40 per cent stake in Aristokrat Records, Burna Boy’s former label, was neither notified of nor consented to the alleged assignment of the catalogue from Aristokrat Records Nigeria Limited to Spaceship Music Limited, which is associated with the artist and his mother, Bose Ogulu.
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They further contend that the transaction was executed without board or shareholder approval, and is currently the subject of civil proceedings before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt (Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/188/2024: 960 Music Ltd v. Aristokrat Records Nigeria Limited & Ors.).
The reliefs being sought include the nullification of the assignment and a refund of the proceeds.
In addition, criminal proceedings have been instituted over the same transaction (Charge No. FHC/L/1087/2025: Commissioner of Police v. Aristokrat Records Nigeria Limited & Anor.), with allegations of fraudulent conversion and related offences.
Creative Legal has formally asked Warner Music to suspend all activities relating to the catalogue, refrain from entering into new agreements, preserve financial and royalty records, and provide written confirmation of compliance within seven days of receiving the notice.
However, Barrister Justin Ige, managing partner at Creative Legal, confirmed that the firm had not received any formal response after the deadline had elapsed and is awaiting further instructions from its client, 960 Music Limited.
The dispute, which escalated in February, centres on claims that Aristokrat Records allegedly sold Burna Boy’s historical masters to Spaceship Music in mid-2024.
960 Music, however, insists the sale was unlawful and has challenged the transaction in court.
The case also includes allegations against Aristokrat Records’ chief executive, Piriye Isokrari, who is facing accusations of fraud, financial misconduct and breach of fiduciary duty, including claims that sale proceeds were diverted and that the company failed to secure necessary approvals.
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