960 Music Group has taken legal action at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, seeking to overturn the sale of Burna Boy’s early music catalogue.

The company is challenging a 2024 deal between Aristokrat Music and Spaceship Music, arguing that the transaction was carried out without proper shareholder approval. According to court filings, 960 Music - which holds a 40% stake in Aristokrat Music - claims it was neither informed nor consulted before the agreement was finalized.

At the centre of the dispute are Burna Boy’s early master recordings and intellectual property rights, assets reportedly considered among the most valuable in Aristokrat’s portfolio.

960 Music alleges that Aristokrat’s founder and CEO, Piriye Isokrari, approved the sale independently, without board consent. The group maintains that such a significant transaction required formal authorisation from shareholders and insists due process was not followed.

In addition to the civil suit, reports indicate that the matter has attracted the attention of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), with allegations of financial misconduct currently under review. Claims have surfaced accusing Isokrari of mismanaging proceeds from the transaction and breaching corporate governance obligations. These allegations remain subject to legal proceedings.

The disputed deal was said to have been intended to transfer control of Burna Boy’s earlier works to Spaceship Music, the artist’s current label. However, with the lawsuit now underway, the ownership status of some of his early releases could face uncertainty pending the court’s decision.

Industry observers say the outcome of the case could have wider implications for intellectual property ownership, shareholder rights, and transparency within Nigeria’s growing music business.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Burna Boy’s team nor Aristokrat Music has issued an official public statement regarding the matter.