Federal High Court Orders Airtel Nigeria to Pay N210 Million for Copyright Infringement

The Federal High Court in Ikoyi has ordered Airtel Nigeria to pay veteran singer Veno Marioghae Mbanefo the sum of Two Hundred and Ten Million Naira (N210 million) as damages for the unauthorized use of her iconic song, “Nigeria Go Survive.”

Presiding Judge Honourable Justice Ibrahim Kala ruled that the telecommunications giant infringed on the artist’s copyright by using the musical work to promote its products without her permission.

The legal action began in September 2022, when Mbanefo sued Airtel for what she described as “flagrant and deliberate infringement.” In her original complaint, the artist stated she discovered that Airtel had been using her song to market its TV app and promote “The Voice Nigeria” through telemarketing numbers.

Following the discovery, her lawyer, Rockson Igelige of Felix, Igelige and Associates, wrote to Airtel demanding they cease using the work and pay N50 million in compensation. According to Mbanefo, rather than address the claim, the company denied responsibility and even threatened her with criminal charges.

This prompted the singer to escalate the matter to the Nigeria Copyright Commission and file a civil suit at the Federal High Court.

In the lawsuit, Mbanefo’s legal team argued that Airtel’s actions amounted to “stealing and wilful deprivation” of her intellectual property, aimed at unjustly enriching the company at the artist’s expense.

The court’s ruling represents a significant victory for creative rights in Nigeria and sends a strong message regarding the enforcement of copyright law. The judgment underscores that unauthorized commercial use of artistic works will attract substantial penalties.

Airtel Nigeria has not yet issued a public statement regarding the judgment or whether it intends to appeal.