Qing Madi accuses JTon Music of theft and forgery in a heated dispute, while the label denies allegations and cites ongoing legal proceedings

Afrobeats singer Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma, popularly known as Qing Madi, has accused her former record label boss, Joy Tongo, of financial theft and signature forgery amid an escalating contractual dispute with JTon Music.

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The singer made the allegations during a live TikTok broadcast, where she also claimed that the label was deliberately working to sabotage her career following their professional separation.

The dispute intensified after several tracks from her recently released project Barely Legal were removed from major music streaming platforms, reportedly due to an alleged breach of contract.

Qing Madi alleged that the label’s actions followed a court ruling in her favour, claiming that JTon Music had previously lost a $2 million case brought against her.

She described the ongoing situation as exhausting and urged supporters to speak out.

In her words, the singer accused her former label boss of misconduct, alleging theft and document manipulation in the course of their business relationship.

“She stole from me, did a bunch of weird things like forging my signature. She sued me for $2M & she lost the case… They went through the corners again to take down the project,” she said.

However, Joy Tongo, Chief Executive Officer of JTon Music, has strongly denied the allegations, describing them as false and misleading.

In a statement shared on Instagram, Tongo rejected claims of theft and forgery, insisting that the legal dispute between both parties remains ongoing and has not been concluded in court.

She further argued that a court injunction provided the legal basis for the removal of the singer’s music from streaming platforms, contradicting Qing Madi’s interpretation of events.

“Also, the injunction ruling is why we can issue a legal takedown now, what case have you won? Because last time I checked, the case still hasn’t gone to trial,” she stated.

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The dispute highlights growing tensions between artistes and record labels in Nigeria’s music industry, particularly over contract enforcement and intellectual property control.