Lagos:A Federal High Court in Lagos is set to hear a pending application on February 9, 2027, in a two billion Naira lawsuit filed by Bright Light Media Ltd. against Lotus Bank. The media company has accused the bank of infringing on its intellectual property rights by using its distinctive mark, EID SOUQ, without authorization during the 2026 Eid celebration.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Bright Light Media is seeking injunctive reliefs to prevent Lotus Bank from further using the EID SOUQ mark. The plaintiff also demands a perpetual injunction against the bank and its associates from using the mark, in addition to two billion Naira as damages for alleged infringement. Furthermore, the company is requesting an additional five million Naira to cover the cost of the lawsuit.
During a recent court session, Mr. Emmanuel Ochai represented Bright Light Media, while Mr. Folade Kuti (SAN) appeared for Lotus Bank. Kuti informed the court of a preliminary objection against the suit, citing a related case heard in 2024 at the High Court of Lagos State. Ochai countered, asserting that the current suit is separate from the earlier case.
Justice Ayokunle Faji, presiding over the case, instructed both parties to produce an agreement on the subject matter by the next adjourned date and urged the defense to make its preliminary objection comprehensive.
The origins of the dispute trace back to May 3, 2024, when Bright Light Media introduced the EID SOUQ concept to Lotus Bank’s Executive Chairman, Mrs. Hajara Adeola. Subsequent discussions led to the rebranding of the event as LOTUS EID SOUQ FEST, with an agreement recognizing Bright Light Media’s ownership of the EID SOUQ mark. However, tensions arose in 2026 when both parties independently planned events using the mark, leading to public confusion and alleged loss of business for the media company.