Wizkid blames fraudsters for controversial performance contract

                                                       

About two weeks after some students of University of Lagos were said to have accused hip hop singer, Wizkid, of breaching a contract to perform in the institution, his album label, EME, has given indications that some impostors had struck the deal with the students.

This is contained in a statement released through Lagos-based media organisation, BHM, noting that Wizkid has “spoken out against his continuous impersonation by fraudsters.”

The culprits are said to have been nabbed by law enforcement agents.

But the award-winning artiste, bugged by increasing complaints and reported incidents, says he is worried that some fraudsters would go to any length to perpetrate evil acts and defraud innocent fans and customers.

The statement  said the artiste spoke in Lagos on July 2, while reacting to on-going investigations on what it calls recent discoveries and arrests.

Wizkid, who had said on Twitter that he did not engage in cheap musical engagements, obviously referring to the N500,000 fee the students were said to have paid,  is quoted as saying, “It’s unfair that fraudsters will take advantage of unsuspecting victims.The culprit has been apprehended and all is being done to make sure such incidents don’t reoccur.”

EME Chairman Banky W, also said to have been a victim of impersonation, says the label is putting all structures in place, while working with relevant authorities to make sure the trend is put to a stop.

The statement adds, “Fake names, phone numbers and bank accounts have been set up to carry out such fraudulent activities. Some of the fake accounts these impostors use include “Bankole Wellington Banky W” on Facebook,Bankyw82@yahoo.com, emeonline82@yahoo.com,godwintom1@gmail.

com,starboyentertainment@rocketmail.com. The only authorised contact for EME is bookings@empirematesentertainment.com.”

Wizkid is also quoted as saying, “Impersonating artists and record labels is apparently the new 419. This is not a unique problem to EME or it’s acts, but a serious challenge to most major labels/artists as well as the fans and event organisers.

“It saddens us to know that crooks still try to take advantage of our fans and supporters but we are doing all we can to put the right info out and we hope that everyone takes note, so as not to fall into their traps.”