A trademark dispute involving the popular catchphrase “Something Hooge,” widely linked to Nigerian comedian Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Ejekwu, popularly known as Sabinus, has been resolved through an amicable settlement.
The President of the Practitioners of Content Creators, Skit-Makers and Influencers Guild of Nigeria (PCCSIGN), Micheal Obinna Nwabufo, also known as Mike Premium, confirmed that the issues with two major consumer brands have been settled following dialogue and professional engagement.
The dispute involved FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, makers of Peak Milk, and UAC Foods Limited, producers of Gala Sausage Roll. Both brands had previously used elements associated with the viral phrase in promotional campaigns.
Mike Premium, who represented the interests of the creator within the creative industry ecosystem, had earlier initiated legal action seeking ₦1 billion in damages against FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC and ₦100 million against UAC Foods Limited over the alleged use of the phrase.
Providing an update on the matter, he said the dispute had now been resolved through mutual agreement and partnership.
According to him, the outcome reflects a constructive approach to resolving intellectual property disputes within Nigeria’s growing creative industry.
The catchphrase “Something Hooge” gained widespread popularity through Sabinus’ comedy skits and became a recognizable part of his entertainment brand.
Official trademark records show that the phrase was filed for protection with the Industrial Property Office Registry under the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment. The filing took place on November 26, 2021, and was accepted on December 4, 2021.
The trademark was registered across several categories, including advertising and business promotion, financial and commercial services, as well as entertainment, training, and cultural activities.
Mike Premium explained that securing protection across multiple classes established the phrase as a recognised intellectual property asset connected to Sabinus’ brand.
He added that the resolution underscores the importance of respecting the rights of content creators in Nigeria’s expanding digital and entertainment space.
Through PCCSIGN, he said the guild is working to promote greater awareness about intellectual property protection among content creators, skit-makers, and influencers.
The organisation is also encouraging creators to properly register their works, formalise their businesses, and develop structured partnerships with brands.
Mike Premium further revealed that PCCSIGN is developing initiatives to strengthen Nigeria’s creator economy. These include intellectual property education programmes, guidelines for fair brand collaborations, capacity-building initiatives for emerging creators, and engagement with government institutions.
According to him, these efforts are aimed at helping Nigerian creators protect their ideas, negotiate fair deals with brands, and build sustainable careers within the country’s growing digital content industry.
He also commended the legal teams of Eko Solicitors and LawCapitol for their work during the process and confirmed that no further legal action is pending in the matter.
The PCCSIGN president noted that the outcome signals gradual progress in structuring Nigeria’s creative industry, with increasing recognition of intellectual property rights within the sector.
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