A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has declared that Nigerian music star Douglas Jack Agu, popularly known as Runtown, remains bound by his 2016 recording agreement with Eric Many Limited, holding that the contract remains valid and subsisting.
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In the order dated July 16, 2026, Justice O. A. Musa held that the recording agreement executed between Runtown and Eric Many Limited in June 2016 had not been terminated in accordance with the terms of the agreement and therefore continues to bind both parties.
The court declared that Runtown remains under contractual obligations to the record label and restrained him from taking steps that may amount to a breach of the agreement while the dispute remains before the court.
According to the order, the recording contract remains effective and the singer is obligated to perform his contractual duties under the agreement until the legal issues between the parties are finally resolved.
The court also restrained Runtown from engaging in actions inconsistent with the agreement, including performances, appearances, recordings, tours or other commercial activities covered by the contract without compliance with its terms.
The court further awarded ₦53 million in costs and damages against the singer in favour of Eric Many Limited.
In addition, the ruling confirmed that the name and trademark “RUNTOWN” belongs to Eric Many Records, while also awarding the label the sum of ₦266 million, to be paid in bulk, as the outstanding balance from the company’s investment and expenses on the contract which had not been recouped.
The implication of the order is that any commercial engagement involving Runtown, including planned international performances such as a proposed United Kingdom tour, would have to comply with the terms of the recording agreement where such engagement falls within the scope of the contract.
The legal battle between Runtown and Eric Many Limited, chaired by businessman Prince Okwudili “Dilly” Umenyiora, dates back to 2016, when disagreements arose over the singer’s attempt to exit the recording contract.
At the time, Eric Many accused Runtown of breaching the agreement by allegedly accepting performance bookings, recording music and planning international tours without the label’s authorisation.
The dispute led to several court proceedings in Nigeria and the United States. In 2016, Nigerian and US courts reportedly issued interim orders restraining certain performances while the contractual dispute was being litigated.
In 2018, the parties returned to court after Eric Many alleged that Runtown continued to perform and release music despite existing court orders. The label maintained that the artiste remained contractually bound and warned that third parties dealing with him without its approval could face legal consequences.
Over the years, both parties have publicly claimed legal victories at different stages of the litigation, but the contractual dispute continued through various proceedings.
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