A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has declared that Nigerian music star Douglas Jack Agu, popularly known as Runtown, remains bound by his recording agreement with Eric Many Limited.
In a ruling delivered on July 16, 2026, Justice O. A. Musa held that the recording agreement executed between Runtown and Eric Many Limited in June 2016 remains valid and binding, stating that it “has not been terminated in accordance with the provisions of the agreement” and continues to subsist between both parties.
The court further declared that Runtown remains under contractual obligations to the record label and restrained him from breaching the agreement while the matter remains before the court.
According to the ruling, the recording contract remains effective, and the singer is required to fulfill his contractual obligations until the legal dispute is finally resolved. The court also restrained him from taking any action inconsistent with the agreement, including activities that could amount to a breach of the contract.
In addition, the court awarded ₦53 million in costs and damages in favour of Eric Many Limited.
The ruling also declared that the “RUNTOWN” name and trademark belong to Eric Many Records and ordered the singer to pay the label ₦266 million, representing the outstanding balance of the label’s investment and expenses under the contract that had yet to be recouped.
This means that any performances, appearances, recordings, tours, or other commercial activities covered by the recording agreement, including any proposed international engagements such as a United Kingdom tour, must comply with the contractual obligations recognised by the court. Whether any specific event is permitted will depend on the terms of the agreement and the approval of the record label.
The legal dispute between Runtown and billionaire businessman Prince Okwudili “Dilly” Umenyiora, Chairman of Eric Many Entertainment, dates back to 2016, when disagreements arose over the singer’s attempt to exit his recording contract.
At the time, Eric Many accused Runtown of breaching the agreement by accepting performance bookings, recording music, and planning international tours without the label’s authorization. The dispute led to multiple court proceedings in both Nigeria and the United States.
In 2016, courts in Nigeria and the United States issued interim orders restraining certain performances while the contractual dispute was being litigated.
The parties returned to court again in 2018 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 the label’s approval could face legal consequences.
Over the years, both parties have publicly claimed legal victories at different stages of the litigation while the contractual dispute continued through various court proceedings.
With the latest ruling, Eric Many has secured a declaration affirming that the recording agreement remains in force.