Prof. Chinedu Asinu-Anosike (CONA) and Cona Creative Concepts Limited have secured judgment in a billboard dispute against Hon. Obinna Egu, Member representing Ngor Okpala State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly.
The matter arose from Suit No. HOW/901/2023, instituted by Cona Creative Concepts Limited and Prof. Chinedu Asinu-Anosike at the High Court of Imo State, Owerri Judicial Division, over the alleged unauthorized placement of the Defendant’s 2023 political campaign posters on the Plaintiffs’ outdoor advertising billboard located along the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport Road, Owerri.
The Plaintiffs contended that the billboard was their commercial advertising property and that the Defendant had neither obtained their consent nor paid for its use. They consequently sought, among other reliefs, a declaration that the use of the billboard constituted unlawful interference, payment of ₦700,000 per month for the period of unauthorized use, a perpetual injunction restraining further interference, and ₦100 million in damages.
The Plaintiffs were represented by Ndukwe Nnawuchi (SAN) & Co.
In its judgment delivered on 23 June 2026, the Court considered the pleadings and evidence before it and held that the Defendant’s explanation concerning an APC unity campaign and other political posters displayed on the billboard had not been properly pleaded and, therefore, could not successfully answer the Plaintiffs’ case.
The Court found that the use of the billboard was unauthorized and adopted 18 March 2023, being the date of the State House of Assembly election, as the terminal date, there being no evidence establishing when the posters were actually removed.
Based on the claimed monthly value of ₦700,000, the Court calculated the period of unauthorized use from November 2022 to March 2023, representing five months, and awarded the Plaintiffs ₦3.5 million for the use of the billboard.
The Court further awarded ₦5 million as damages and ₦300,000 as costs, bringing the total monetary award to ₦8.8 million in favour of the Plaintiffs.
The judgment has therefore brought to a judicial determination the dispute over the alleged unauthorized use of the advertising billboard, with the Plaintiffs securing monetary reliefs and consequential orders arising from the Court’s findings.
