The Federal High Court in Abuja has stopped a beverage company, Mamuda Beverages Nigeria Limited, from producing its ”pop power” energy drink over allegations bordering on trademark infringement pending the hearing and determination of substantive suit.

Justice Binta Nyako restrained Mamuda Beverages Ltd from further production of the drink in a copied bottle design, which allegedly infringed on the trademark of a popular Fearless Energy Drink produced by Rite Foods Limited.

Justice Nyako, in a ruling also refused a preliminary objection filed by Mamuda in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/705/2025.

The judge rather granted the injunctive reliefs sought by Rite Foods Limited.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mamuda Beverages, in its preliminary objection, had challenged the suit on the basis of abuse of court process.

The company also argued that Rite Foods’ instant complaint of infringement of its intellectual property is distinct from an earlier suit between the parties, wherein Rite Foods had complained about a different act of infringement.

Delivering the ruling, the judge held that Mamuda’s newly introduced bottle design still bears a striking resemblance with Rite Foods’ established Fearless Energy Drink product.

She, therefore, granted an order restraining Mamuda from further production of its Pop Power Energy Drink product, pending the final determination of the suit.

Justice Nyako further ordered Mamuda to cease production of the product forthwith and directed the court bailiff, in conjunction with the parties, to undertake an inventory of the already produced products and file same.

The judge, who said that the products already produced could be dispersed by Mamuda Beverages, ordered that the injunction shall remain in force until the end of the year or pending the determination of the substantive suit.

She consequently adjourned the suit untill Sept. 23 for hearing of the substantive suit.

The order followed an earlier suit against Mamuda in January 2025, where Rite Foods sued the company for infringing on the trademark and design of its iconic Fearless Energy Drink through the launch of “a lookalike product, Pop Power Energy Drink.”

However, Mamuda sought a settlement, and terms of settlement were agreed and filed, and the court entered same as its consent judgment.

Some of the terms of settlement include that, Mamuda would desist from further violation of Fearless Energy Drink trademark and identity pass-off.

It also pledged to change its design and avoid any form of identity imitation.

Jigawa Governorship Race: Senator Sabo Nakudu Calls for Peaceful ADC Primaries

Distinguished Senator Sabo Muhammad Nakudu, a governorship aspirant under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Jigawa State, has intensified consultations with party stakeholders ahead of the party’s governorship primary election scheduled for Monday, May 25, 2025.

The consultative meeting, which took place at the ADC State Headquarters in Dutse, brought together party leaders from the 27 local government areas of the state to deliberate on strategies aimed at strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Addressing the gathering, Senator Nakudu said the meeting provided him with an opportunity to outline his plans and political strategies for securing victory for the ADC in the forthcoming elections. He also highlighted his vision for the socio-economic and political development of Jigawa State if elected governor.

According to the governorship hopeful, unity and collective commitment among party members remain key factors necessary for the success of the ADC at both the state and national levels.

Senator Nakudu further appealed to party supporters and delegates to conduct themselves peacefully during the primary election process, urging them to shun violence and any act capable of disrupting the democratic exercise.

He emphasized the need for members to uphold constitutional provisions and democratic principles by ensuring a free, fair, and peaceful electoral process.

The ADC governorship aspirant also reassured party stakeholders of his commitment to fostering unity, inclusiveness, and sustainable development within the party and across Jigawa State. He pledged to work tirelessly for the growth and success of the ADC in the state and Nigeria at large if given the mandate.

Political observers believe the meeting forms part of ongoing efforts by the ADC leadership and aspirants to consolidate support ahead of the highly anticipated governorship primaries in Jigawa State.

GENEVA: Xinhua)/Flowerbudnews –The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is spreading rapidly, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday to revise its risk assessment to “very high” at the national level, while remaining “high” at the regional level and “low” globally.

The WHO said 82 cases have been confirmed so far in DRC, with seven confirmed deaths. However, the epidemic is much larger, with almost 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference.

In Uganda, the situation remains stable. Two cases have been confirmed in people who traveled from DRC, with one death. Measures taken in Uganda, including intense contact tracing and cancelling the Martyrs’ Day commemoration, appear to have been effective in preventing further spread of the virus, said Tedros.

An American national who was working in DRC has also been confirmed positive and was transferred to Germany for care. WHO is also aware of reports today about another American national who is a high-risk contact and has been transferred to the Czech Republic.

The governments of DRC and Uganda are leading the response, with support from WHO and partners. In addition to national staff in DRC, WHO has deployed 22 international staff to the field, including some of its most experienced personnel. The agency has released 3.9 million U.S. dollars from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies.

WHO is in touch with UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher. Tedros thanked him for allocating 60 million U.S. dollars to the response. On the ground, WHO is supporting national authorities with every pillar of the response, including contact tracing, establishing treatment centers, risk communication and community engagement.

Together with Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), WHO is also establishing a continental Incident Management Support Team. In the coming days, the agency will publish a multi-agency Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP), aligned with the national plans of both DRC and Uganda.

According to Tedros, unlike many previous Ebola outbreaks caused by the Zaire virus, this outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, for which there are no approved vaccines or therapeutics. There have only been two previous outbreaks of Bundibugyo – in Uganda in 2007 and the DRC in 2012.

WHO on Thursday convened leaders of several partner organizations under the interim Medical Countermeasures Network to review the pipeline of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics. The WHO R&D Blueprint also convened its technical advisory group on therapeutics, which recommended prioritizing two monoclonal antibodies to advance in clinical trials.

The advisory group further recommended evaluating the antiviral obeldesivir in a clinical trial as post-exposure prophylaxis for high-risk contacts. That clinical trial is now being developed jointly with Africa CDC and the Collaborative Open Research Consortium on filoviruses. Discussions are also ongoing with partners on candidate vaccines in the development and manufacturing pipeline.

The two provinces of Ituri and North Kivu in DRC, where the outbreak is occurring, are highly insecure, with intensified fighting in recent months causing more than 100 000 people to be newly displaced. Across both provinces, around 4 million people need urgent humanitarian assistance, 2 million are displaced, and 10 million face acute hunger. There is also significant distrust of outside authorities among the local population.

A security incident occurred on Thursday at a hospital in Ituri, where tents and medical supplies were set on fire. “Building trust in the affected communities is critical to a successful response, and is one of our highest priorities,” Tedros said.

WHO is also committed to ensuring that essential health services for the affected communities are maintained and strengthened, based on their needs.