The High Court in Accra has delivered its long-awaited judgment in the legal dispute between award-winning Ghanaian musician Black Sherif and his former management, describing the artiste’s contractual breach as merely “technical.”
The ruling was delivered by Justice Afia Adu-Amankwa at the Commercial Division of the High Court, where the court dismissed the bulk of the financial claims brought by Shadrach Owusu Agyei, who traded under the name Charvis Wayne’s Consult. The decision brings clarity to a case that has drawn significant public attention within Ghana’s entertainment industry.
Charvis Wayne’s Consult had sought extensive reliefs from the court, including a claim for 20 percent of Black Sherif’s lifetime earnings, reimbursement of more than GH¢1.1 million allegedly invested in the artiste’s career, and an additional $24,000 said to have been spent on accommodation. However, the court found that these claims were not supported by sufficient evidence.
Justice Adu-Amankwa held that while a valid management agreement did exist between the parties, the plaintiff failed to prove allegations of unaccounted earnings, retained revenue, or financial loss attributable to Black Sherif. The court further noted that the plaintiff did not provide full accounts as required under the agreement and failed to demonstrate that managerial duties were still being performed after the termination of the contract.
In its detailed assessment, the court found that the only actionable issue was Black Sherif’s engagement with a third party during the subsistence of the management agreement. According to the judgment, this action amounted to a breach of contract, but one that was limited in scope and effect.
“The court holds that the defendant’s engagement with a third party during the subsistence of the management agreement constituted a technical breach,” Justice Adu-Amankwa ruled, adding that no substantial or quantifiable loss was proven to have resulted from the breach.
As a result, the court awarded nominal damages of GH¢50,000 to the plaintiff, a figure that stands in sharp contrast to the millions of cedis initially claimed. All other reliefs, including the demand for a share of Black Sherif’s earnings, reimbursement for investments, and accommodation expenses, were dismissed in their entirety.
In a further indication of the court’s view on the merits of the case, costs of GH¢15,000 were awarded against Charvis Wayne’s Consult. The court explained that the costs were intended to cover reasonable expenses and legal representation incurred by Black Sherif during the proceedings.
The judgment is widely seen as a significant victory for the artiste, born Mohammed Ismail Sherif, and sets an important precedent for contractual disputes in Ghana’s creative industry. Legal analysts say the ruling underscores the importance of clear evidence, proper accounting, and continued performance of contractual obligations when seeking financial claims.
The decision is expected to influence future management agreements within the music industry, reinforcing the principle that while contracts must be respected, claims for damages must be firmly grounded in proof of actual loss.
