US Based Nigerian Model ‘Slams’ Wema Bank With N97m Lawsuit For Illegal Use Of Her Photo

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A US based Nigerian model, Nneoma Anosike, has reportedly slammed Wema Bank with a N97 million lawsuit for using her photo without her permission.

Nneoma, who filed the lawsuit, through her father — the laywer Frank Anosie — before a Lagos Division of the Federal High Court, in the document filed before the court, said that the bank used her photo for a commercial on their social network on April 11, 2016, adding that they did not get permission fro her or her agent (Ford Models Inc).

Hence, why she is demanding N75 million for passing off her services; N20million for breach of her privacy for allegedly advertising her private correspondence; N2m for the cost of filing the suit.

She also is demanding an apology from the bank published on 2 national dailies, in Nigeria and the United States. Nneoma Anosike also said the illegal use of her photo affected her relationship with Ford Models.

Nneoma who won the 2013 Elite Model Look and got signed to Ford Models in 2015. Following the alleged use of her photo, the model said her agent summoned her to their office after she moved to the United States. They showed the photo Wema Bank used on their Instagram, and from it saw that the bank had altered and edited the professional photo to suit their advertorial intent. This, she said, jeopardised her contract renewal.

Speaking before the court, the bank said they never knew of the model’s contract with the American agency. However, that they sourced her photo online for their weekly inspirational posts, and not for commercial gains.

The case was adjourned by Justice Ibrahim buba till June 15 for further hearing.