A Federal High Court in Lagos will hear a pending application in a two-billion-naira suit filed by a media company against Lotus Bank on February 9, 2027.
Bright Light Media Ltd. sued Lotus Bank before Justice Ayokunle Faji, seeking injunctive relief for alleged infringement of its intellectual property rights. The company demands two billion Naira, claiming Lotus Bank used its distinctive mark, EID SOUQ, to promote the 2026 Eid celebration without authorization.
The plaintiff also seeks a perpetual injunction restraining the bank, its agents, privies, assigns, and anyone acting on its behalf from further using the mark. On Wednesday, Mr Emmanuel Ochai represented the plaintiff, while Mr Folade Kuti (SAN) appeared for Lotus Bank. Kuti informed the court of a pending preliminary objection to the suit.
Defence counsel referenced an earlier case on the subject before the High Court of Lagos State, heard in 2024. Plaintiff’s counsel, Ochai, objected, stating that the 2024 case was different from the current suit before the Federal High Court. After hearing arguments, Justice Faji directed counsel to present the agreement between the parties at the next adjourned date. The judge also instructed the defence to submit a comprehensive preliminary objection. The case was adjourned to February 9, 2027, for hearing of the application.tion.
In the statement of claim, Bright Light Media Ltd. Managing Director, Mr Hakeem Olatunji, traced the dispute to May 3, 2024, when the company allegedly introduced the ‘EID SOUQ’ concept to Lotus Bank’s Executive Chairman, Mrs Hajara Adeola.
He stated that the proposal followed the media company’s successful Ramadan festival. He added that, after discussions, the bank’s name was incorporated into the concept, resulting in the rebranding as ‘LOTUS EID SOUQ FEST’.
He stated that an agreement dated May 28, 2024, led the company to organize the LOTUS EID SOUQ FEST 2024 on Victoria Island, Lagos.
According to him, the event, held on June 8 and 9, 2024, increased customer engagement and goodwill for the bank. He noted that the agreement recognized the media company’s ownership of the ‘EID SOUQ’ mark. Olatunji said the dispute began in 2026, when the company prepared for its Eid celebration using the ‘EID SOUQ’ mark and secured new partnerships. The company advertised its event for May 23 and 24, but received inquiries from the public about whether it was also organizing the ‘LOTUS EID SOUQ 2026’. At that point, the company discovered Lotus Bank was promoting an event with the same name and dates.
He claimed the bank’s use of the mark and related features amounted to passing off, causing public confusion and leading some to believe Bright Light Media organized the event. He added that this misrepresentation was unlawful, exploited the goodwill built around the ‘EID SOUQ’ brand, and resulted in loss of business patronage.
Bright Light Media seeks two billion Naira from Lotus Bank as damages for pecuniary losses and intellectual property infringement. The plaintiff also requests an additional five million Naira as the cost of instituting the suit.
