The legal and contractual dispute surrounding Nigerian singer Qing Madi has escalated into a full-scale public disagreement, with her former label JTON Entertainment and her current management, KFMD, issuing sharply conflicting interpretations of a Lagos court ruling tied to her ongoing Spotify takedown controversy.

What began as a TikTok livestream has now developed into a multi-layered dispute involving competing legal narratives, allegations of contract invalidity, and claims of copyright enforcement actions affecting the singer’s catalogue.

The controversy intensified after Qing Madi, the 19-year-old artist behind the EP Barely Legal, went live on TikTok to address the sudden removal of her music from Spotify. During the session, she directly accused her former label boss, Joy Tongo of JTON Music, of financial misconduct, forgery allegations, and coordinated efforts to disrupt her career trajectory. She also claimed she had previously won a court case against the label, noting that the proceedings began while she was still a minor and required her mother’s involvement in court.

In response, JTON Entertainment issued a formal statement rejecting allegations of wrongdoing and framing the matter strictly as a contractual and commercial dispute rather than a personal conflict.

The label denied claims of harassment or intimidation and pushed back on interpretations of the court outcome, insisting that the High Court of Lagos State granted an interlocutory injunction in its favour. According to JTON, the order restrains Qing Madi from releasing, performing, or commercially exploiting recordings developed under the label, as well as from entering new agreements using the brand and platform it established, pending the final determination of the case.

JTON also confirmed existing recording and distribution arrangements with Sony Music and Bu Vision, stating that these agreements remain legally binding and enforceable.

However, KFMD, the management company now representing Qing Madi, released its own counter-statement on June 5, directly challenging JTON’s interpretation of events and presenting a sharply different legal position.

On the question of who initiated legal proceedings, KFMD maintained that JTON filed the suit, not the artist. The company also argued that the original contracts were signed when Qing Madi was 16 years old, classifying them as infancy contracts that are voidable under the Child’s Rights Law of Lagos State 2015.

According to KFMD, the court recognised Qing Madi’s right to terminate the agreements, retain control over her career decisions, and enter new management and recording arrangements independent of JTON. The firm further stated that the injunction being referenced by JTON is limited in scope and applies only to specific recordings tied to the disputed contracts, rather than constituting a broader restriction on her career.

KFMD also levelled additional allegations, claiming that JTON issued copyright takedown notices to platforms such as Spotify and Audiomack over rights it does not legally control. It further alleged that cease-and-desist letters were sent to promoters and event organisers to prevent Qing Madi from performing, actions it described as misrepresentations of the court ruling and an attempt to enforce restrictions beyond what the court ordered.

With both sides now publicly entrenched in opposing legal interpretations, the situation has evolved into a wider industry debate about contracts signed with minors, label ownership structures, and the enforcement of interim court orders in the Nigerian music industry.

As it stands, the substantive case has yet to proceed to trial, while Barely Legal remains partially affected on streaming platforms amid the ongoing dispute.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

This post appeared first on Mp3bullet.ng... Read Original post on Conflicting Court Claims Emerge as Qing Madi, JTON and KFMD Clash Over Spotify Dispute.

The ongoing legal battle between rising Nigerian singer Qing Madi and her former management company, JTON Entertainment Limited, has taken another turn following the company’s detailed response to allegations circulating online.

The dispute, which has attracted significant attention across social media, intensified after Qing Madi’s recently released Barely Legal EP was removed from major streaming platforms shortly after its debut.

The takedown prompted strong reactions from the singer, who publicly accused her former label and its CEO, Joy Tongo, of attempting to derail her career.

In a statement released on Friday, JTON Entertainment rejected what it described as misleading narratives surrounding the case, insisting that its actions were motivated by contractual and business considerations rather than personal grievances.

According to the company, the legal proceedings were initially commenced by the artist herself, with JTON subsequently taking steps to safeguard its investments and contractual interests.

“It is a legal and commercial dispute concerning rights, obligations, investment, and the protection of works and opportunities developed during the course of a professional relationship.

“It is therefore deeply concerning that the matter is now being presented online as though JTON or its officers are threatening the artist’s life or engaging in harassment. These allegations are false, unfair, and capable of misleading the public,” the organisation said.

JTON further denied accusations that it had threatened, intimidated, or harassed the singer in any form, stressing that neither the company nor its representatives had authorised such conduct.

Addressing recent discussions surrounding a court ruling in the matter, the company argued that the judgment has been widely misunderstood and inaccurately represented online.

“The recent ruling of the High Court of Lagos State, Nigeria, should not be misrepresented. The Court did not hold that JTON had no case. In fact, the Court granted part of JTON’S interlocutory injunction application and restrained the artist from releasing, publishing, or performing music, recordings, or content produced, promoted, or financed under JTON and entering into new agreement or deals using the brand or professional platform developed by JTON pending the determination of the suit.

“It is important to also note that JTON Music also has a recording and distribution agreement with Sony Music and Bu Vision. These arrangements remain subject to lawful enforcement and must be respected by all parties. Where recordings fall within those arrangements, they cannot be released, distributed, or commercially exploited outside the agreed structure without the necessary authorisation. JTON’S position is simply to ensure that all parties respect existing obligations.

“JTON remains committed to due process. All actions taken so far, and all actions to be taken going forward, will be within the confines of the law and under the supervision of the Court in Nigeria and in New York,” the organisation said.

The company concluded by urging members of the public, media organisations, fans, and online commentators to avoid spreading unverified information that could influence or prejudice the ongoing legal proceedings.

As the dispute continues to unfold, both sides remain firmly entrenched in their positions, with the future of Qing Madi’s music releases and contractual status likely to be determined through the courts.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

This post appeared first on Mp3bullet.ng... Read Original post on JTON Breaks Silence on Qing Madi Dispute, Defends Legal Actions Over Removed EP.