Alleged Passing Off: Court Bars Sale Of Infringing Adhesive Products, Orders Police Raid 

One Of The Claimant’s Products Allegedly Infringed On By The Respondents

A Federal High Court in Lagos has granted a series of interim orders restraining several companies and individuals from manufacturing, importing, marketing and distributing adhesive products alleged to infringe the registered product and packaging design of Kingswatt Nigeria Limited.

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa made the orders in Suit No. FHC/LAG/CS/920M1/2026 following an ex-parte application filed by Barrister Jessica Egbafor on behalf of her client, Kingswatt Nigeria Limited against VOVO Import & Export Nigeria Limited, Mei Jianlin, Wang Yongqiang, Royal Chemical Import and Export Nig. Limited, Adekunle Olaide, Okpe Moses Ogbodo, Thankgod Okoro (trading as DCDG Global Enterprise), Gubon Nigeria Limited, Chen Xinsheng, Chen Yangchuan, unknown persons and the Registrar of Patents and Designs.

The plaintiff had approached the court seeking urgent protection of its registered product and packaging design, alleging that the respondents were manufacturing and marketing adhesive products branded as “OKe Bond,” “OKAY BOND,” “VOVO OKAY BOND,” “GUBON,” and other products allegedly bearing designs similar to its registered packaging.

In a ruling delivered after considering the affidavit in support of the application, sworn to by Chika Kingsley Nwankwo, and submissions by the plaintiff’s counsel, Jessica Igba, the court granted an interim injunction restraining the respondents from further dealing in the disputed products pending the hearing of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

Justice Lewis-Allagoa also authorised the Nigeria Police Force, through the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, or designated officers, as well as court bailiffs with police assistance, to enter and inspect the respondents’ premises. The officers are empowered to search, recover, seize, confiscate and preserve allegedly infringing adhesive products, packaging materials, labels, cartons, printing materials, manufacturing tools, moulds and related records found at the premises of the respondents or any other location within the court’s jurisdiction.

The court further empowered law enforcement officers and court bailiffs to apprehend anyone attempting to obstruct the execution of the order.

In addition, the judge directed that all products and materials seized during the enforcement exercise be deposited in the custody of the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court or another secure facility as may be directed by the court pending further orders.

Justice Lewis-Allagoa also ordered the first to eleventh respondents to disclose within seven days all warehouses, factories, depots, outlets and distribution channels used in manufacturing, storing or distributing the disputed products. 

The court equally granted leave for the respondents to be served through substituted means, including electronic media and by pasting court processes at their last known addresses and business premises.

The judge has been adjourned till July 22, 2026, for further proceedings.