By Sandra Umeh
A Federal High Court in Lagos will on Feb. 9, 2027 hear a pending application in a two billion Naira suit filed by a media company against Lotus Bank.

The company, Bright Light Media Ltd., sued Lotus Bank before Justice Ayokunle Faji.

It is seeking injunctive reliefs over an alleged infringement on its intellectual property right.

The company is demanding two billion Naira against Lotus Bank for allegedly adopting and using its distinctive mark, EID SOUQ, in promoting its 2026 Eid celebration, without authorisation.

The plaintiff is also seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the bank, its agents, privies, assigns and anyone acting through it, from further using the mark.

On Wednesday, Mr Emmanuel Ochai appeared for the plaintiff while Mr Folade Kuti (SAN) appeared for Lotus Bank.

Kuti told the court that a preliminary objection against the suit was before it.

The defence counsel made reference to an earlier case on the subject before the High Court of Lagos State, adding that same case was heard in 2024.

Counsel to the plaintiff, Ochai, however, objected to the submission, saying that the case before the High Court of Lagos State in 2024 was different from the current suit before the Federal High Court.

After arguments and counter arguments in the matter, Faji directed the counsel to produce an agreement between parties on the subject on the next adjourned date.

The judge also urged the defence to make its preliminary objection comprehensive.

Faji adjourned the case until Feb. 9, 2027, for hearing of the application.

In a statement of claim, the Managing Director of Bright Light Media Ltd., Mr Hakeem Olatunji, traced the origin of the dispute to May 3, 2024, when the company allegedly introduced the ‘EID SOUQ’ concept to the Executive Chairman of Lotus Bank, Mrs Hajara Adeola.

He stated that the proposal followed a successful hosting of a Ramadan festival by the media company.

He stated that it was requested that the bank’s name be incorporated into the concept, following discussions with Lotus Bank.

Olatunji said that this led to the rebranding of the mark as ‘LOTUS EID SOUQ FEST’.

He averred that an agreement between the parties dated May 28, 2024, subsequently made the company to organise the LOTUS EID SOUQ FEST 2024 on Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to him, the event, which took place on June 8, 2024 and June 9, 2024, generated increased customer engagement and goodwill for the bank.

He said that the agreement, however, acknowledged the media company’s ownership of the ‘EID SOUQ’ mark.

Olatunji stated that dispute started in 2026, when the company began preparations for its Eid celebration using the ‘EID SOUQ’ mark and secured partnerships with other reputable organisations.

He stated that the company advertised its event scheduled for May 23 and May 24, but was surprised to receive calls and messages from members of the public seeking to know if it was also organising the ‘LOTUS EID SOUQ 2026’.

He said it was at that point that the company discovered that Lotus Bank was also promoting an event bearing the name for the same dates

He stated that the proposal followed a successful hosting of a Ramadan festival by the media company.

He stated that it was requested that the bank’s name be incorporated into the concept, following discussions with Lotus Bank.

Olatunji said that this led to the rebranding of the mark as ‘LOTUS EID SOUQ FEST’.

He averred that an agreement between the parties dated May 28, 2024,  subsequently made the company to organise the LOTUS EID SOUQ FEST 2024 on Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to him, the event, which took place on June 8, 2024 and June 9, 2024, generated increased customer engagement and goodwill for the bank.

He said that the agreement, however, acknowledged the media company’s ownership of the ‘EID SOUQ’ mark.

Olatunji stated that dispute started in 2026, when the company began preparations for its Eid celebration using the ‘EID SOUQ’ mark and secured partnerships with other reputable organisations.

He stated that the company advertised its event scheduled for May 23 and May 24, but was surprised to receive calls and messages from members of the public seeking to know if it was also organising the ‘LOTUS EID SOUQ 2026’.

He said it was at that point that the company discovered that Lotus Bank was also promoting an event bearing the name for the same dates.

He stated that the  bank’s use of the mark and other features amounted to passing off as it created confusion among members of the public and made some people to believe that its event was organised by Bright Light Media.

He added that such misrepresentation was unlawful and calculated to exploit the goodwill Bright Light had built around the ‘EID SOUQ’ brand and consequently resulted in loss of business patronage.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bright Light Media is demading two billion Naira from Lotus Bank as damages for pecuniary losses and infringement on its intellectual property right.

The plaintiff is also asking the court to award additional five million naira to it as the cost of instituting the suit. (NAN)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola