Nigerian beauty queen sues WEMA Bank

A Nigerian Model, Miss Nneoma Anosike has dragged Wema Bank plc
before a Federal High Court in Lagos, over alleged infringement on
intellectual property.

The 21 year old plaintiff who is a 2014 brand Ambassador of
Pepsi Cola Nigeria, sued through her father, Mr Frank Anosike, as
lawful Attorney, claiming the sum of N75 million against Wema, as
general damages for passing off her services.

The plaintiff who is based in America is claiming the sum of N20
million as damages for breach of her privacy, by advertising her
photograph without her consent and special damages of N2million as
cost of action, plus 21 percent interest on sum.

Besides, she is seeking a declaration that she is entitled to
her privacy and those of her correspondences, under section 37 of
the 1999 constitutionAnosike also seeks a public apology from the
defendant, to be advertised in National dailies circulating in the
U.S and Nigeria.

At the resumed hearing of the case, the sole witness for the
plaintiff, Mr Frank Anosike, continued his examination in
chief.

Led in evidence by his lawyer, Mr Gideon Okebu, Anosike told the
court that his daughter entered into a three years management
contract with an international firm, named Ford Model Incorporated
New York, in 2014.

He said that the plaintiff was granted an American Visa through
the instrumentality of Ford, following which she travelled from
Nigeria to the United States, to continue her career solely under
Ford.

According to the witness, on April 11, 2016, his daughter was
requisitioned to attend a meeting with the board of Ford where she
was presented with photographic advert of her picture from
Instagram, which was photo-edited by Wema bank and further
advertised on their website.

He said that his daughter’s picture was used for the advert with
the bank’s corporate logo beside her face and the words, “Be
yourself, Everyone else is taken”

According to him, this projection of his daughter by the bank
was with the aim of projecting their value and good will using the
fame and popularity of the plaintiff.

He said that this act of the defendant, constituted a breach of
his daughter’s agreement with Ford Model, as it has caused a
retraction of contract extension by the firm.
Justice Ibrahim Buba has adjourned until Nov. 20 for cross
examination of the witness.

A Nigerian Model, Miss Nneoma Anosike has dragged Wema Bank plc
before a Federal High Court in Lagos, over alleged infringement on
intellectual property.

The 21 year old plaintiff who is a 2014 brand Ambassador of
Pepsi Cola Nigeria, sued through her father, Mr Frank Anosike, as
lawful Attorney, claiming the sum of N75 million against Wema, as
general damages for passing off her services.

The plaintiff who is based in America is claiming the sum of N20
million as damages for breach of her privacy, by advertising her
photograph without her consent and special damages of N2million as
cost of action, plus 21 percent interest on sum.

Besides, she is seeking a declaration that she is entitled to
her privacy and those of her correspondences, under section 37 of
the 1999 constitutionAnosike also seeks a public apology from the
defendant, to be advertised in National dailies circulating in the
U.S and Nigeria.

At the resumed hearing of the case, the sole witness for the
plaintiff, Mr Frank Anosike, continued his examination in
chief.

Led in evidence by his lawyer, Mr Gideon Okebu, Anosike told the
court that his daughter entered into a three years management
contract with an international firm, named Ford Model Incorporated
New York, in 2014.

He said that the plaintiff was granted an American Visa through
the instrumentality of Ford, following which she travelled from
Nigeria to the United States, to continue her career solely under
Ford.

According to the witness, on April 11, 2016, his daughter was
requisitioned to attend a meeting with the board of Ford where she
was presented with photographic advert of her picture from
Instagram, which was photo-edited by Wema bank and further
advertised on their website.

He said that his daughter’s picture was used for the advert with
the bank’s corporate logo beside her face and the words, “Be
yourself, Everyone else is taken”

According to him, this projection of his daughter by the bank
was with the aim of projecting their value and good will using the
fame and popularity of the plaintiff.

He said that this act of the defendant, constituted a breach of
his daughter’s agreement with Ford Model, as it has caused a
retraction of contract extension by the firm.
Justice Ibrahim Buba has adjourned until Nov. 20 for cross
examination of the witness.