Brands/Products
Contempt: NBC Floors Rite Foods at Lagos Court
By Adedapo Adesanya
A Federal High Court in Lagos has set aside committal proceedings filed by Rite Foods Limited against the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) arising from the trademark infringement tussle between the two parties.
Justice Ambrose Allagoa set aside the suit while delivering a ruling on the various motions filed and argued by the respective parties on Wednesday.
Rite Foods had initiated a contempt proceeding against NBC and its management over issues bordering on alleged infringement on the Lion head trademark of its Fearless energy drink.
The substantive passing-off suit was filed by the plaintiff before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke sometime in March in suit No: FHC/L/CS/92/2021.
The plaintiff alleged that the defendant had infringed on its trademark with its Predator energy drink by adopting a Lion head similar to the same mark on its Fearless energy drink brand.
The plaintiff claimed that it has been trading with the lion image since 2017 before NBC’s Predator drink came into the market in 2020.
It, therefore, consequently, sought an exparte order before Justice Aneke, restraining the defendants from passing off on its energy drink, in a manner capable of infringing on its brand and the judge consequently dismissed the order.
NBC on its part had filed an appeal, and accordingly, applied for a stay of proceedings before Justice Aneke, in order to await the outcome of the appeal.
Worried by the non-compliance with the interim order of the court, the plaintiff then initiated a contempt suit before Justice Allagoa, seeking committal proceedings against the defendants for alleged disobedience of court orders.
The alleged contemnors on their part also filed motions before Justice Allagoa, seeking an order dismissing the contempt proceedings in its entirety.
They had argued that the committal suit cannot be enforced since the orders of Justice Aneke had already been discharged on September 27.
At the last adjourned date on November 15, the court heard arguments from the respective counsels to the parties, who moved, adopted and argued their motions.
The court consequently reserved the ruling for Wednesday, December 1.
Delivering its ruling the court held: “I have perused the processes filed pursuant to the two applications and argument of counsels, and it is noted that the two motions brought by the first and second contemnors/applicants seek for an order setting aside the committal proceedings in its entirety.
“All parties are in tandem in conceding to the fact that the interim orders of an injunction based on which the plaintiff seeks to commit the defendant for contempt, has been discharged by the court that granted the order.
“That order was discharged by my learned brother, Justice C.J Aneke on the 27th day of Sept. 2021.
“Whereas the plaintiff/respondent argued that this court can punish for contempt for the period of the orders, the defendants/applicants argue otherwise.
“I am in agreement with the principle of law that a committal proceeding by its nature is a legal enforcement mechanism used to mandate the compliance to a validly existing and enforceable order, undertaking or directive of the court.
“The foundation for any committal proceedings is, therefore, a disobedience of a valid, existing, and enforceable order of the court.”
Relying on a judicial authority as held by Justice Tobi JCA, the court said that a committal proceeding must proceed against a valid judgment against the person who is alleged to be in contempt of court.
It held that if there was no such valid judgment, you cannot rely on the court to hold them in contempt.
“The question in the instant case, therefore, is whether the order of my Lord Justice C.J Aneke having been vacated on Sept. 27, is still enforceable to warrant this court to punish the alleged contemnors of the vacated order.
“My answer is that this court cannot; I am in agreement that it is trite law that the discharge or setting aside of an order of court automatically by implication, qualifies such order as a nullity or void ‘ab initio.’
“Without much ado, the motion filed by the alleged contemnors on Oct. 15 and Oct. 18 has merit.
“Consequently, the committal proceedings as initiated by the respondents against the defendant/applicant is hereby set aside in its entirety including the issuance of all court processes and forms used by the plaintiffs in commencing the proceedings.
“This is the ruling of the court,” Allagoa held according to court documents.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Two divisions of the Federal High Court have issued interim injunctions restoring airtime lending services and restraining the enforcement of the contentious regulations introduced by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
FCCPC introduced the controversial Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional (DEON) Consumer Lending Regulations in 2025, prompting legal actions by telecom firms.
The rulings, delivered in Lagos and Abuja, restored the data and airtime loan services, relied upon by millions of Nigerians.
In Lagos, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, on April 15, 2026, granted four interim injunctions in suit marked FHC/L/CS/760/2026, filed by the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria (WASPA) against FCCPC.
The court restrained the commission, its officers and agents from enforcing the DEON Regulations, including several key provisions of the framework.
It further barred the FCCPC from interfering with the operations of WASPA members, imposing sanctions or fines for alleged non-compliance, or issuing directives connected to the enforcement of the regulations and adjourned to April 17, 2026, for further hearing.
Relatedly, the Federal High Court in Abuja on April 24, 2026, granted an interim order in suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/779/2026 following an ex parte application by Nairtime Holdings Limited and Nairtime Nigeria Limited against MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and Airtel Networks Limited.
The court restrained both telecom operators, their officers and agents from suspending, restricting or otherwise interfering with Nairtime Nigeria Limited’s access to their platforms, including short codes, Short Message Service (SMS), and Unstructured Supplementary Service (USSD).
The order applies for the duration of Nairtime’s valid licence issued by NCC and prevents the operators from relying on the FCCPC regulations as a basis for any disruption.
The applicants had argued that the planned suspension of services was based on a directive linked to the DEON Regulations, despite their compliance with contractual obligations and the absence of any established breach or required notice.
The court found sufficient grounds to grant interim relief pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Taken together, the two rulings effectively place the enforcement of the DEON Regulations on hold, creating a temporary legal framework that allows airtime lending and related services to continue.
The FCCPC is restrained from acting against VAS providers, while telecom operators are prevented from using the regulations to deny licensed operators access to their networks.
The DEON Regulations, introduced by the FCCPC in July 2025, were designed to extend regulatory oversight to unsecured digital lending, including airtime and data credit services.
However, the move triggered strong opposition from industry stakeholders, particularly the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), which argued that the regulations encroached on the NCC’s statutory mandate, created overlapping compliance obligations, and conflicted with an existing memorandum of understanding between the regulators.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
P+ Measurement Services Limited has been chosen as the preferred agency to provide media intelligence services for the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).
P+ won the media monitoring and intelligence business after a competitive and rigorous pitch process involving four agencies.
The foremost agency, run by Mr Philip Odiakose as the Chief Media Analyst, will provide continuous media intelligence across NSIA’s operations and affiliated interests, delivering insight-driven analysis to strengthen reputation management, stakeholder engagement, and communication performance.
It was gathered that the selection process assessed strategic thinking, execution capability, and the ability to deliver timely, decision-ready intelligence.
P+ distinguished itself through its strength in near real-time media monitoring, advanced measurement frameworks, and performance audit systems designed to support complex institutions with multiple stakeholder interests.
It brings a strong and diverse portfolio spanning government institutions, financial services, development organisations, multinationals, energy, telecommunications, and NGOs. Its approach combines global best practices with deep local expertise, ensuring that intelligence is both contextually relevant and strategically useful.
Commenting on the win, Mr Odiakose noted that the process reflected the level of diligence expected from an institution like NSIA, adding that the P+ focus remains on delivering media intelligence that goes beyond tracking media mentions to explaining narratives, measuring impact, and guiding decision-making.
He emphasised that P+ will leverage its global methodologies, adapted to local realities, to provide NSIA with timely insights, clear performance evaluation, and a deeper understanding of how media perception shapes outcomes.
Also speaking, the Corporate Communications at NSIA said P+ was chosen because it demonstrated a strong understanding of its requirements and a clear ability to translate media data into meaningful insight.
The NSIA communications team noted that the firm’s proven track record across sectors, combined with its disciplined approach to measurement and evaluation, positioned it as a credible partner to support NSIA’s communication priorities and broader institutional objectives.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, customers of Airtel Nigeria felt more involved and loved when the telecommunications company gathered them together at the Lagos Travel Inn Hotel in Ikeja to discuss some of their concerns, especially around data usage, transparency and their experience with its services.
It was the first-ever Customer Forum of Airtel Nigeria in Lagos, where regulators, high-volume data subscribers, 5G customers, and other key stakeholders learned ways to tackle the issue of data depletion.
The event, themed Understanding Your Data: How to Take Control, also highlighted Airtel Nigeria’s ongoing investments in customer experience, including enhanced digital tools, clearer usage dashboards, and expanded retail and support networks aimed at improving transparency and accessibility.
“This is our very first customer forum, and it is more than an event. It is a bold statement that in today’s digital economy, the most important voice is the informed customer,” the Director of Marketing at Airtel Nigeria, Mr Ismail Adeshina, said.
He emphasised that while data has become central to everyday life, from business transactions to education and healthcare, concerns around data value and consumption remain valid and must be addressed transparently.
“Data is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity as essential as electricity and water. However, as usage grows, customers are asking an important question: “Am I truly getting value for the data I purchase? This is not just a technical issue; it is a matter of trust,” Mr Adeshina added.
He further explained that evolving usage patterns, including high-definition video streaming, cloud-based applications, and background app activity, have significantly increased data consumption compared to previous years. According to him, the forum was designed as both a listening platform and an educational session to help customers better understand how their data is used.
“We are here to listen, to explain clearly, and to provide evidence. When customers understand how their data is consumed, it shifts the experience from uncertainty to control and from frustration to confidence,” he further disclosed.
On her part, the Director of Customer Affairs Bureau at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Ms Freda Ruth Bruce-Bennett, reaffirmed the regulator’s commitment to protecting consumer interests and ensuring service quality across the industry, noting that data consumption has become deeply integrated into daily life, making any perceived loss of data a significant concern for users.
“We understand that data is central to how people live and work today, which is why concerns around data depletion are taken seriously. The NCC has put mechanisms in place to ensure that consumers receive the quality of service they deserve and that their voices are heard,” she said.
Ms Bruce-Bennett encouraged customers to take advantage of the NCC’s consumer portal, which provides guidance on data management and a platform for lodging complaints.
“There is an A to Z of data management tips available on the NCC portal, and we encourage consumers to use it. We also continue to work closely with operators like Airtel to ensure that complaints are addressed promptly and transparently,” she added.
On customer engagement and service delivery, the Customer Experience Director at Airtel Nigeria, Mr Oladokun Oye, highlighted the company’s multi-channel approach to supporting customers across the country.
“At Airtel Nigeria, customer experience is not just a function; it is embedded across everything we do. From our network design to how we communicate and resolve issues, the customer remains at the centre,” he said.
He noted that Airtel maintains one of the most extensive customer touchpoint networks in Nigeria, including over 1,000 exclusive shops, a dedicated contact centre accessible via 300, and multiple digital platforms such as the MyAirtel App, web channels, and AI-powered chatbots.
“These channels are designed to provide not just service, but clarity and understanding. We are also continuously improving our digital platforms to ensure customers can track and manage their usage in real time,” Oye added.
He further advised customers to engage only with authorised Airtel outlets to ensure service quality and protect personal information.
The Airtel Customer Forum forms part of a broader industry effort, in collaboration with the NCC, to promote data awareness, transparency in billing, and improved customer education.
By creating a platform for open dialogue, Airtel Nigeria is reinforcing its shift from a transactional relationship with customers to a more collaborative and informed partnership.
The company noted that insights from the forum will inform future improvements in service delivery, customer communication, and digital tools, as it continues to support Nigeria’s journey towards a more inclusive and transparent digital economy.
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