960 Music Group vs. Aristokrat Records: Court Adjourns Case to April 20 After Defendant Fails to Appear

Efforts to resolve the ongoing legal dispute between 960 Music Group and Aristokrat Records over the ownership of Burna Boy’s early music catalogue suffered another setback yesterday at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The criminal proceedings, which allege fraudulent conversion and breach of fiduciary duty against Aristokrat Records founder Piriye Isokrari, were adjourned to April 20, 2025, after the defendant failed to appear in court.

His absence once again stalled the high-profile case, which has drawn significant attention within Nigeria’s music industry. 960 Music Group, an investor in Aristokrat Records, initiated the action following claims that the sale of Burna Boy’s back catalogue to his current label, Spaceship Music, was carried out without its knowledge or approval.

Sources familiar with the matter say frustration is mounting over the repeated delays that have marked the proceedings. The charges, filed by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), accuse Isokrari of diverting proceeds from the reported multi-million-dollar sale away from company accounts, allegedly defrauding 960 Music Group in the process.

The case was first mentioned in December 2025 and adjourned to February 10, 2026. On both occasions, neither the defendant nor his representatives appeared in court. Yesterday’s adjournment to April 20, 2025, further prolongs a legal battle that could have significant implications for music rights ownership and investment structures in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.