Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has
fixed October 16, 2013 for the commencement of trial in a N120
million copyright suit filed against popular music star, Innocent Idibia,
a.k.a. TuFace, his wife, Annie Idibia and their manager, Anthonio
Anifite over photographs allegedly taken at the recent traditional
wedding of the musician and his wife in Akwa Ibom State.
Abuja based photographer, Emmanuel Okolo, who is the plaintiff in the
suit alongside his studio, Papilonmexy filed suit against the
defendants.
He is asking for six reliefs, two of which include N100 million in
general damages and N20million in exemplary damages.
At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, neither TuFace nor his
wife was represented in court. Anifite who is the second defendant was
however represented by his counsel, J.O Uttute.
Meanwhile, a mild drama ensued when the judge openly admonished
Uttute after the latter claimed that he had filed his defence when he
had not done so.
The judge warned him not to come to this court again if he was not
prepared for the case. “You told me that you have filed your
response, but looking through here, there is nothing to that effect. And
you are even smiling. Do you think you are here to joke? Never come
to this court again if you are not prepared. You don’t even know when
the case was filed and you are not prepared for it,” said the judge.
Also, the plaintiff’s counsel, Habeeb Oredola expressed worry over
the defendants’ inability to appear before the court or be
represented by a counsel after they were served with the writs of
summon.
In the writ of summon, Okolo and his studio claimed they were
contracted by TuFace’s wife through a third party, identified as Ms
Chineze Anyaene to take photo shots at the traditional wedding held in
Eket, Akwa Ibom state in March, 2013.
The plaintiff said, he was reluctant at the beginning since the offer was
coming through a third party, but later accepted after he was
convinced that the offer was actually with the blessing of the first
defendant.
Annie Idibia was said to have later contacted the photographer after
the wedding and demanded for the printing of 10 of the high
resolution pictures taken.
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