Kenya Insights

Tag: Davido

  • Details Of Davido’s Demand Letter To K24 Over Drug Trafficking Story

    Details Of Davido’s Demand Letter To K24 Over Drug Trafficking Story

    Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido has issued a stern cease-and-desist notice to Kenyan media company Mediamax, threatening legal action over a report that falsely claimed he was arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

    In a letter from his lawyers, seen by Kenya Insights, Davido, whose real name is David Adedeji Adeleke, vehemently denied allegations published on April 1st by Mediamax’s K24 brand that he was “detained at JKIA with cash and drugs in his private jet.”

    The lawyers branded the report, which appeared to be an April Fool’s prank, as “baseless” and a “deliberate smear campaign” against the 31-year-old singer’s reputation. They argued it falsely portrayed him as a “narcotics user/trafficker” engaged in criminal activities.

    “By labeling Davido as a controlled substance user and a criminal without any evidence or factual basis, Mediamax Network Limited has engaged in a deliberate smear campaign aimed at tarnishing our client’s character and integrity,” the letter stated.

    It demanded Mediamax immediately remove the “defamatory and disparaging remarks”, cease publishing such claims, offer an unconditional public apology, admit liability, and compensate Davido for damages and costs.

    “This reckless disregard for the truth demonstrates a complete lack of journalistic ethics and professional responsibility,” the lawyers wrote, giving Mediamax 48 hours to comply or face legal action for defamation.

    Quoting the letter, they said: “As a reputable media organization, Mediamax Network Limited has a duty to ensure the accuracy and integrity of its reporting.”

    Davido had performed at the “Raha Fest” concert in Nairobi on March 30th before the controversial report emerged on April 1st. His lawyers said it has caused “irreparable harm” to his personal and professional life as an “international megastar” with business interests across several jurisdictions.

    “Our client has spent many years and extensive resources and significant energies in building his reputation to highly competitive international standards,” they added.

  • Davido To Sue K24 Over Drug Trafficking Story

    Davido To Sue K24 Over Drug Trafficking Story

    Nigerian musician Davido has instructed his lawyers to institute a legal action against Kenya’s K24 over a story deemed defamatory, Kenya Insights has learned.

    Announcement from the singer saying he has instructed his lawyers to institute a legal action against the TV station.

    K24 Digital on Monday 1, April splashed a story, ‘Nigerian musician Davido detained at JKIA after Ksh18M cocaine haul found in his private jet’ falling on the April Fool’s Day, many flagged it and ignored it as such. However, the velocity of the good article escalated as many took is as real news and was even republished in numerous blogs outside Kenya. For a better part of Monday, it was the trending story.

    The initial story which has since been deleted.

    It was a joke that went too far that even The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) quickly intervened to save the situation branding it ‘Fake News’

    DCI canceled the report as fake news.

    The report stated that Nigerian singer David Adeleke aka Davido was arrested by police on Sunday. It detailed that Davido and his seven crew members were held at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) following a search on his private jet, where narcotic drugs were found.

    It added that Davido and his crew were arrested by the Anti-Narcotics Police Unit at JKIA.

    However, in reality, Davido left Kenya on Sunday, after a night of performance at the Raha Fest, which was held in Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi on Saturday night.

    The story was later pulled down but the damage had already been done. Davido had been subjected to stereotypical attacks.

    K24 post clearing the air.

    What is April Fools’ Day?

    Every year, April Fools’ Day is celebrated on April 1. While its exact origins are unclear, many historians trace April Fools’ back to 1582, the History Channel and the Library of Congress report.

    That year, France changed its calendar system from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. According to the Julian calendar, each year began on the spring equinox, which usually fell around April 1. Under the Gregorian Calendar, however, the new year started on January 1.

    In France, many were unaware of the calendar change and continued to celebrate the new year during the last week of March through April 1. These people were considered the “butt of jokes and hoaxes” and were named “April fools,” according to the History Channel.

    Others maintain that April Fools’ derives from the Roman festival of Hilaria, which is Latin for “joyful.” Hilaria was celebrated at the end of March by devotees of the goddess Cybele, the History Channel reports. During the festival, followers would dress up in disguises and trick townspeople.

    While the fools day knows no boundaries, one rule is constant. That the jokes should not go beyond 12.00 pm.