Model Demands N97 million from Bank for using her Photo without Authorisation

Nneoma Anosike, 22, winner of Elite Model Look 2013 has dragged Wema Bank Plc. to court accusing it of using her photos for commercial purposes without her consent.

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

She 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 and 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.

According to the statement of claims attached to the suit, the plaintiff claimed that she is a reputable international model who had won many laurels within and outside the country, including the ‘Elite Model Look’ 2013 in Nigeria.

She said she was on the verge 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 jeopardized 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.

it said it was not aware of any modelling contract between Anoosike and Ford Models Inc.

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