News

Court Restrains Firm From Using Mercy Johnson’s Copyright, Images To Promote Products

Published

2 years ago

November 8, 2023

Editor

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has granted an export order restraining Virony Nigeria Ltd, a leading manufacturer of household items, sanitary wares and daily necessities from using the pictures of the ace Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson to promote its wide range of products.

The court presided by Justice C.J Aneke also granted an injunction ordering the seizure and confiscation of all products of the company bearing the images of Mercy Johnson as well as video and sound recordings of the actress used by the company to promote their products on social media platforms and the internet.

Mercy John had in the substantive suit dragged the company before the court for allegedly infringing on her intellectual property right after the expiration of their endorsement deal signed in 2020. The contract was to run for two years which lapsed in October 2022.

While the suit is still pending, Mercy John through her lawyer, Prince I. Nwafuru (Managing Partner at The Law Suite, Lekki Lagos) sought an exparte order restraining the company and its agents or customers from further infringing on her copyright and image rights by continuing to promote their product with her images and audiovisual.

Granting the exparte application, Justice Aneke held: “Having carefully considered the application and submissions of Counsel, it is hereby ordered as follows: That an Order of Interim Injunction is made restraining Defendant either by itself, members, officers, agents, servants, distributors, customers, marketers, brand ambassadors, influencers or any other person natural or artificial whomsoever, claiming or acting through the Defendant, from using the image, pictures, audiovisual, video and sound recordings of the Applicant and her kids to produce, manufacture, market, advertise, promote or sell the Defendant’s products pending the hearing and determination of the Applicant’s Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.

“That an Interim Order of Mandatory Injunction is made directing the seizure and confiscation of all the products of the Defendant bearing the images and pictures of the Applicant as well as all video and sound recordings of the Applicant used in advertising, promoting and marketing of the Defendant’s products posted on any social media platforms or internet.

“That an Interim Order of Mandatory Injunction is made directing the Defendant and all platforms hosting the Defendant’s social media pages and accounts to delete on all the Defendant’s social media handles or anywhere else, any material including but not limited to pictures, images and sound and video recordings of the Applicant and her kids used in promoting the Defendant’s products pending the hearing and determination of the Interlocutory Motion on Notice for Injunctions.

“That an Interim Order Is made directing any person selling, marketing or otherwise dealing in the Defendant’s products to remove from their shops, stores, and platforms any of the Defendant’s products bearing the Applicant’s pictures, images and audiovisual recordings pending the determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.

“That an Interim Order of this Honourable Court is made directing the Nigeria Police or any of its Officers or other Officers concerned with the security and enforcement of Orders including the Inspector General of Police, Assistant Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, Area Commander, Divisional Police Officer and/or other security Officers to provide necessary protection and accompany the Applicant or her Manager and authorized Agent to seize, detain and preserve the infringing materials bearing the images, pictures, videos and sounds of the Applicant and her kids pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunctions.”

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

5 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.