In a judgment delivered on Thursday, March 27th, 2025, the Federal High Court No. 1, sitting in Benin City and presided over by Hon. Justice B. O. Quadri, has dismissed a case filed by one Efe Omorogbe and others against the Copyright Society of Nigeria(COSON) and others.
In the case marked suit No: FHC/B/C15/39/2021, the Presiding Judge after hearing counsel to the COSON and others – Douglas Ogbankwa Esq. – dismissed the suit for lacking in territorial jurisdiction as the defendants – COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji, Ms. Bernice Eriemeghe and Nigeria Copyright Council (NCC) operate and do business in Lagos and Abuja respectively.
The court also held that it will amount to judicial rascality for the court to adjudicate over a matter that had a multiplicity of suits over the same matter, indicating that the case was a classic example of forum shopping.
The court further held that the action of the claimants in the suit amount to an improper use of the court process, which connotes an abuse of court process.
The court dismissed the suit of the claimants and adjourned the counter claim of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants till 19th of May, 2025.
Discussion about this post