Sabinus seeks N1bn compensation against Peak Milk makers
Funnyman Oga Sabinus has vowed to sue Friesland Campina, the makers of Peak Milk, for infringing on his patent right.
Sabinus, whose real name is Chukwuemeka Ejekwu, is accusing the beverage company of unathorised use of his popular phrase, “something hooge”.
The comedian also sued UAC Foods, the makers of the sausage roll Gala, for using his photos in an ad campaign.
Stanley Alieke, Sabinu’s legal representative, said Peak Milk used the phrase in an advert on its social media handle.
“The advert which was made on the Peak Milk Nigeria verified Instagram page (peak_milk) was posted on the 24th day of May 2022 which was used to promote the Peak National Breakfast Week,” Alieke wrote on his client’s behalf.
“It will interest you to know that the phrase ‘something hooge’, which was popularized by our client, has been trademarked and legally reserved as his intellectual property by the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment.
“The said slogan was trademarked on the 26th of November 2021 with the file number: NG/TM/O/2021/48316. 10. On this note, we make the demand for the payment of the sum of Five Hundred Million Naira (N500m) as compensation for the unauthorized use of the intellectual property belonging to our client.
“And another five hundred million Naira for damages for the trauma; emotional, physical, psychological, and mental trauma our client has suffered for the Trademark theft and infringement of his intellectual property rights.
“We also pass a stern warning for your company to cease and desist forthwith the use of slogans, expressions, images, or any other intellectual properties belonging to our client without his express consent and authorization.”
He has vowed to file a suit if the company fails to heed within two weeks of receiving his letter.
Sabinus is also demanding N500 million compensation from UAC Food, which it accused of using of an anime version of him in a social media advertising campaign.
“Your company UAC Food Ltd. has been using the brand picture and other intellectual properties of Sabinus to make adverts for your Gala sausage roll without the consent or authorization of our clients,” another notice read.
“You made a post on your verified Instagram handle (gala sausage roll), on the 23rd of May, 2022 with the picture of our client. The post which was a cartoon of our client was captioned ‘the way I calculate everything in my life’.
“We demand that you pay our client the sum of one hundred million Naira (N100m) for the use of the picture which is the average fee our client charges for his picture to be used for adverts and promotions.
“It will be in your best interest to heed our warning and meet our demands and if at the end of 14 working days.”
