Brymo Vs Chocolate City: Judge Drops Case Due To Accusations Of Bias!

Brymo and his counsel are fighting against Chocolate City’s breach of contract claim.
(NET)

The judge in charge of the ongoing court case between singer, Brymo, and his erstwhile recording company, Chocolate City, Justice Buba I.N, has pulled out of the case after he was accused of being biased. During cross examination of singer Brymo, yesterday, Chocolate City Counsel T.O Lawal claimed that the Chocolate City vs. Brymo dispute was as a result of the singer’s misconducts and his promotion of hard drugs on his social network accounts.

‘I want to put it to you that one of the reasons you had problems with the plaintiff (Chocolate City) was because you were promoting hard drugs on your social network accounts. I was made to understand by the record label that your conducts and promotion of hard drugs like Indian hemp made the record label to lose a potential N20M endorsement deal for you with a major telecommunication company. Negotiations were ongoing about the deal, but it was called off,’

Lawal said to Brymo. However, the statement was playfully countered by the judge, Justice Buba I.N, who said: ‘The plaintiff cannot have a problem with a singer promoting hard drugs because that is what they all do. We are all fans of Fela and Bob Marley, and they promoted these things.’ Unhappy with the judge’s comment, T.O Lawal expressed his sadness and insinuated that the judge was being biased. To ensure fair hearing to the satisfaction of both parties, Justice Buba made it clear that he will be handing the case over to another judge. During the court session that lasted from 1:14PM to about 1:47PM, Brymo was called to the witness box for cross examination, where he revealed his numerous dealings with Chocolate City. Answering questions on why he dumped the record label, Brymo revealed that he and the C.E.O of the label Audu Maikori had a verbal agreement to part ways. Buy Cheap Android Phones on Konga.com | Lowest Price in Nigeria
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‘We had a discussion at Chocolate City’s office in Lekki in December 2012, when he told me I can leave the label. I was not happy with the way I was being treated by the label and we agreed to stop working together. He was to give me a document to that effect but he later changed his mind,’ Brymo told the court.

During cross examination, it was also revealed that Brymo signed a three album and a five-year-deal with the record label which was to expire in 2016. Reacting to Justice Buba’s decision to pull out of the case, Brymo’s counsel Nike Olagbende told a NET reporter that the judge had no choice than to do so.

‘The judge did the right thing. Once a party feels the judge is being biased, the judge has the option of pulling out. What he did was fair,‘ Olagbende revealed after the court proceedings.

Brymo frustrated as judge adjourns case again

Brymo in court, Photo: NET

A frustrated Brymo stormed out of a Lagos court on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 after a delayed response to a petition by his counsel led to the adjournment of the case.

The court sitting at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos was ended abruptly after Chocolate City‘s Counsel T.O Lawal stopped Brymo from giving his own side of the story after he was called to the witness stand.

Chocolate City’s lawyer in legal terms argued that the case should be put on hold because Brymo’s counsel had delayed in responding to a 2013 petition.

At the court sitting which lasted from 1:50 p.m to 2: 40 p.m, it was learnt that Brymo’s Counsel Nike Olagbende was 10 ten days late in replying to a 2013 petition forcing the judge to adjourn the case to a later date.

Olagbende promised to send in her reply the next day so the hearing could resume as soon as possible, but Chocolate City’s Counsel T.O Lawal remained adamant that he would take the required 14 days to acknowledge the reply and will not be forced or rush into acknowledging it.

Bringing an end to the court hearing, Justice Buba I.N instructed Nike Olagbende to file in her reply the next day.

Brymo who had already taken the oath at the witness box, was asked to come down. The obviously frustrated singer was later seen being consoled by his girlfriend who has regularly accompanied him to court since his case started.

Speaking after the court hearing, Nike Olagbende advised Brymo to be patient and assured him of progress in the case. ‘He is obviously frustrated and I understand. But the most important thing is that Brymo has been set free to work by the court. He should go about his business, be patient and all these will be over soon,’ his lawyer told NET.

Chocolate City Counsel refused to speak to NET, insisting that he will only do his talking in the court.

Chocolate City General Manager Ibukun ‘Aibee’ Abidoye was also called up to the witness stand and was cross examined by Brymo’s counsel. During cross examination, Ibukun revealed that apart from the cost of recording of Brymo’s album Son of a Carpenter , the ‘Good Morning’, ‘Ara’ and ‘Omoge Campus’ videos each cost the sum of N800,000. She also revealed that because of the way the singer quit Chocolate City, the label could not recoup any of these investments on the singer. 

Brymo was however absent yesterday March 20 when court hearing resumed. His counsel has replied to the petition and awaits acknowledgment from the Chocolate City’s counsel.

Justice Buba I.N during a brief session adjourned the case to Tuesday, April 8, 2014 to enable both counsels to put their houses in order.

Brymo and his girlfriend before court session, Photo: NET

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Judge adjourns Brymo and Chocolate City case as both parties clash in court

Brymo is in court with Audu Maikori’s Chocolate City following alleged contract infringement.

The ongoing legal battle between Chocolate City and Brymo is set to continue as the case has been adjourned to a later date. At a sitting yesterday at the Federal High Court in Lagos, the presiding judge, Justice Buba I.N was forced to adjourn the hearing after counsels from both parties clashed in the courtroom. The session started by 11:14 a.m and ended by 1:00 p.m. Brymo’s legal representative, Nike Olagbede and Chocolate City’s counsel, T.O Lawal clashed after a disagreement which led to the use of derogatory words between the two learned counsels during a court session. Justice Buba then announced that the case will be adjourned to a later date. ‘I will adjourn this case because the counsels have failed to portray themselves according to the stipulations of the court acts and acted in complete disregard to the court regulations,’ Justice Buba said. The case has now been adjourned to Tuesday, March 4, 2014 as agreed by both counsels. Speaking to The NET at the end of the court sessions, Brymo’s legal rep, Nike Olagbede reiterated Brymo’s desire to fight for his right. ‘Brymo will continue to fight. This fight is not for him alone. It is for all Nigerian music artistes against record labels set out to frustrate them’. 

Credit: Netng

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Brymo & Chocolate City Heading Back to Court on January 14

Brymo and Chocolate City are returning to court. The legal battle between the Nigerian music star and his former label comes up on Tuesday 14th January 2014 at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The case was adjourned because the presiding judge as well as Brymo and his counsel were absent at the court appearance, which caused the case to be suspended.
We hope the two parties come to an amicable solution.

Brymo to Pay N22Million Or stay at Chocolate City Until 2016!!

Contrary to the news circulating in the early hours of yesterday that Chocolate City didn't get an injunction against Brymo's Merchants, Dealers and Slaves album and also stopping him from further recording tracks that might be released to be promoted.

Brymo said and I quote – "Pls disregard any news about an injunction on my new album M,D&S, it's all untrue.. Just a ploy to disrupt my release as usual.."

A source at the Chocolate City re-affirmed that there is indeed an injunction against Brymo and any plan he has till he fulfills his contract with Choc city. Our source also told NaijaMp3s that Brymo has 2 albums left in his contract with Chocolate City which expires in 2016.

Brymo has been served the injunction notice and he is now wanted by the court for compromising his contract with the recording company. The law firm consulting for Chocolate City have also included a buyout clause for Brymo which is set at 22 Million Naira. Brymo has been asked to play out his contract with Choc city or simple just activate the buyout clause of 22million Naira which was also confirmed by our source at chocolate city who confirms Choc city boss, Audu agreed to, in order to resolve the issue.

When we asked our source why Jesse Jagz wasn't served an injunction when he released his "Thine kingdom Come" album was released; NaijaMp3s was told that Jesse's contract with Chocolate city was over and it was easy for Jesse Jagz to quit the label without any problem. It should be recalled that during Brymo's press conference he told reporters that his lawyers couldn't get him out of the problem he was in with Chocolate city and that was why he had to come out to the public.

We hope this doesn't get escalated than it already has and hopefully Chocolate City and Brymo would settle their differences so we can all enjoy good music that Brymo provides us with.
Spy-GH

Brymo Has Been Caged By Chocolate City With A Court Order

This is a big lesson for young artiste who rush to sign recording deal with big labels. Always make sure you go into such deals after the advise of professions, not just blinded by the few millions they offer you.

As you read this, Audu Maikori's Chocolate City have obtained a court injunction against one of Nigeria's few talented singers, Brymo, after their relationship collapsed. Consequently, Brymo has been caged.

The court order against Brymo is so "wicked" that it is 'restraining him from recording, releasing, distributing any composition, song, musical works or carrying out any activity as a recording or performing artist through or for the benefit of any person or organisation other than Chocolate City pending the determination of the suit against him.'
If the case remain like this, Brymo can't make any money as a musician until 2016. This is just too much!

BRYMO BLASTS CHOCOLATE CITY

 

 In a recent interview, former member of the Chocolate City crew opened up about his reasons for leaving the label and what his plans are.
Excerpts.
On why he left the label.
My debut album was not released properly. Songs were leaked even after they promised that they were safe. And then there was my single, which was poorly released. I think I deserve an explanation why the release was messed up. That already is a breach. You took my song, edited it and released it behind my back; very unfair. It's something I don't want to talk about but there's news everywhere that I am smoking weed and people are saying I don't get shows because of that.

On weed-smoking.
Yes, but for God's sake, I have not done anything to mess up the contract. What else do you think anybody would say just to make me look bad? It's like giving a dog a bad name so you can hang it. They needed to come up with something. Like I said before, a lot of artistes are doing songs about weed and I have not even done a song on weed before.
On how Choc Boys affected his project.
We were supposed to record a Choc Boy album in 2012, which I could not agree to because I had my own album in the works. But it's even worse than that because nobody ever called me up.
Whenever they had Choc Boy meetings I was never there. I heard stuff from my other mates on the record label and I am like 'when did you have that meeting?'
So, it's easy now for them to come out and say I am still a Choc Boy. However, I was never treated like one!

On his new plans.
Chocolate City says I can't go anywhere but they will have to sue me toenforce that and we will meet in court.
On who his new management will be.

This is music business.
By the time you shop for a few weeks, you'll find a manager and a publicist. The songs always come first so if I don't have an album in theworks, what do I need a manager and publicist for.

On his current relationship with Chocolate City crew.
We have a very cordial relationship,
funny enough. We talk on phone and we even exchange visits. When I got my new car four months ago, I drove to Miss place and said 'come take a look at my car.' When we meet at events we still talk.

On his personal relationship.
Yes, I am in a relationship. But no plans for marriage right now. I met the lady in my life at a birthday party. What struck me about her was that she was tall and beautiful. The attraction was her height.
Who no go like fine girl? I like the way she carries herself and the way she treats me.

On marriage plans.
(Laughs) I am 27-years-old so I am still thinking of roaming around a little more before settling down.