By Jerry Uwah
Lagos
A 22-year-old Nigerian model based in the United States of America (USA), Nneoma Anosike, has slammed a N97 million suit against Wema Bank for allegedly using her picture for commercial purpose without authorisation.
The suit is tried by Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos.
Anosike sued the bank through her attorney, Frank Anosike, who is also her father.
The plaintiff alleged that on April 11, 2016, the defendant used her picture for commercial purpose in a social network, called ‘Instagram’ without her consent or authorisation from the management of Ford Models Inc, a company in USA which she had agreement to manage her career as a model.
Among the prayers of the plaintiff before the court are; an order directing the defendant to pay her the sum of N 75, 000, 000 for allegedly passing off her services.
An order of injunction restraining the defendant from passing off or causing /enabling others to pass off her professional services;
An order directing the defendant to pay her the sum of N20, 000, 000 for the breach of her privacy by advertising her private correspondence;
An order directing the bank to write a letter of apology to her, and to publish the written apology in two national dallies in the U.S. and another two in Nigeria. Besides, Miss Anosike also demanded for sum of N2 million as special damages and cost of filing the suit.
She averred that among the competitions she won in Nigeria was ‘Elite Model Look,’ 2013, adding that based on her reputation, in 2014, Pepsi-Cola Nigeria made her its brand ambassador for Aquafina Water.
She alleged that the defendant mutilated and photo-edited her professional photograph for the said advert and advertised it on the World Wide Web,
However, the defendant in its Statement of Defence, averred that the bank was neither a party nor privy to any of the alleged modelling contract of the plaintiff with any third party.
The defendant averred that the picture in question was on social media before it was sourced for it online on weekly motivational and educational series via social media, intended purely to inspire young online users.
The case was adjourned till June 15 for further hearing.