High Court Reaches Decision In Black Sherif’s Long-Running Legal Tussle With Former Management

The High Court (Commercial Division) has officially brought an end to the long-standing legal battle between Ghanaian superstar Black Sherif (Mohammed Ismail Sherif) and his former manager/investor, Shadrach Owusu Agyei (popularly known as Snap), of Wayne Chavis Consult.

In a judgment delivered on January 16, 2026, Her Ladyship Justice Afia Adu-Amankwa dismissed the majority of the claims levelled against the “Iron Boy” hitmaker, effectively clearing him of significant liability.

Justice Afia Adu-Amankwa’s judgment highlighted a significant lack of evidence from the plaintiff.

These included

1. Failure of Proof: The court found that the plaintiff did not substantiate claims regarding revenue retention, unaccounted earnings, and construction expenditures.

2. Lack of Mitigation: The court noted that the plaintiff failed to mitigate losses after the agreement ended and failed to render full accounts as required by their own contract.

3. Technical Breach vs. Substantial Loss: While the court acknowledged that Black Sherif’s engagement with a third party (EMPIRE) during the contract was a “technical breach,” it emphasized that no substantial loss was proven.

4. Final Damages: Instead of the massive payout sought by the former management, the court awarded only nominal damages of GHS 50,000 for the technical breach.

5. Legal Costs: The defendant was also ordered to pay costs of GHS 15,000 to cover legal representation and expenses.

This judgment marks a total victory for the “Villain I Never Was” star, allowing him to put the 4-year legal cloud behind him. With the High Court rejecting the bulk of the management’s financial demands, Black Sherif is now legally cleared to continue his international ascent without the threat of a receiver or revenue freezes.

The legal dispute began in April 2022, just as Black Sherif’s career was exploding globally with the hit “Kwaku The Traveller”.

Shadrach Agyei Owusu filed a writ of summons alleging a breach of contract.

Black Sherif was reportedly signed to a distribution deal with Empire Music without the consent of his investor, who had a business management contract with the artist.

In June 2022, the court dismissed an injunction application that sought to bar Black Sherif from performing his own songs. The judge ruled that the injunction would cause “grave injustice” to the artist’s career.

While the plaintiff pushed for nearly GHS 1,000,000 in damages, Black Sherif’s team maintained that the contract had been legally terminated.

NYDJLive