US- Based Nigerian Model Sues Wema Bank For Illegal Use Of Her Photo

Nneoma Anosike, winner of Elite Model Look 2013 has sued Wema Bank Plc.  She has accused the bank of allegedly using her photos for commercial purposes without

her permission.

Premium Times reports that, she is seeking an order directing the defendant to pay N75 million for allegedly passing off her services.

The 22-year-old is  also seeking another N20 million for the breach of her privacy by advertising her private correspondence.

Anosike who instituted the legal action at the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court by her father who is also her lawyer Frank Anosike, also wants the defendant to issue an apology in two national dailies in Nigeria and in the U.S. and also pay N2 million as cost of filing the suit.

She said that Wema Bank, on April 11, 2016, used her photo for a post on their Instagram account without authorisation from management company, Ford Models Inc.

She said she was at  the point of renewing her contract with Ford Models Inc., which took her to the U.S., until they summoned her to a meeting and presented her with the photo posted on the bank’s page.

Anosike said the bank mutilated and edited her professional photo and used it on their page and that has jeopardised  her contract renewal.

Wema Bank however said that it sourced the photo from social media and used it for its weekly motivational and educational series under its Corporate Social Responsibility programme and not for advertisement.

The case has been adjourned to June 15 for further hearing.