A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has dismissed a preliminary objection filed by Sanlam General Insurance Limited in an ongoing ₦500 million copyright infringement suit brought by Inyang Rotimi Olayiwola.
In his ruling, Justice Aluko described the insurer’s application as lacking merit, labeling it “frivolous” and an abuse of court process. The court also imposed a ₦100,000 cost against Sanlam for wasting judicial time.
The judge affirmed that the plaintiff has the legal standing to initiate the lawsuit and that the claims presented disclose a valid cause of action that warrants a full hearing.
Olayiwola had instituted the suit against both Sanlam and the Lagos State Government, accusing them of copyright infringement and misuse of confidential information. He is seeking ₦500 million in damages from the defendants.
Sanlam had argued that the court lacked jurisdiction and that the plaintiff had no locus standi, urging the court to strike out the case. However, the court rejected these claims, stating that the issues raised are substantive and should be determined at trial.
Meanwhile, proceedings revealed that the Lagos State Government has failed to appear in court for the fifth consecutive time. This repeated absence has fueled speculation that the state may be considering an out-of-court settlement, especially after earlier indications that it acknowledged elements of the alleged infringement.
Reacting to the ruling, Olayiwola expressed confidence in his case, noting that the decision reinforces his pursuit of justice. He added that he would provide further details to the public and the media in due course.
With the objection dismissed, the case is now set to proceed to full trial, where the court will examine the merits of the allegations and determine whether the plaintiff is entitled to the damages sought.
