Trademark Dispute: Court Orders Immediate Halt to Preparations for Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit - Kenule Hails Court Order, Says Move Protects Years of Investment in Brand. The Founder of the Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit (NDEIS) welcomed an interim restraining order issued by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, directing parties to maintain the status quo and effectively halting preparations by the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce to host an event under the disputed name 'Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit.'
The order followed a suit by NDEIS founder Kenule Nwiya Jnr over alleged trademark infringement; he argued NDEIS had over the years built the platform into a recognised vehicle for economic dialogue, investment promotion and regional development, and that allowing the proposed event to proceed under the disputed name could create confusion and a 'fait accompli.' Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu directed parties to maintain the status quo pending determination of the trademark dispute - against the backdrop of an existing suit and injunction from a Port Harcourt court - and ordered parties to respect the authority of the court.
Reacting, Nwiya thanked the judiciary and warned: 'I appeal to organisations that may have planned to invest their resources in such a project to exercise caution and allow the legal process to run its course. No solid structure can stand on a foundation built on deceit, lies or desperation. The Niger Delta Governors, Access Bank and the Niger Delta Development Commission should also be mindful of the subsisting court processes...
We need investment in the region, jobs and meaningful opportunities - achievable only through transparent, credible and due process.' Signed: Kenule Nwiya Jnr., Founder of NDEIS. Source: thisdaylive.com
