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E-Financial

Firm Calls First Bank Out over Alleged IP Infringement, Demands N125m

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Xtreme Cr8tivity Xpressions Limited, design and innovation firm, has threatened to drag First Bank Plc to court over alleged unauathorised use of its intellectual property (IP).

Firm Calls First Bank Out over Alleged IP Infringement, Demands N125m

Design and innovation firm is also demanding N125 million from the bank for allegedly using its IP for its 125 anniversary celebration without authorization on the bank’s website, T-shirts, buildings and other merchandising benefits.

Xtreme Cr8tivity Xpressions, a start-up claimed that it is being muscled out of business by First Bank.

First Bank is yet to react to the allegations when Nigeria CommunicationsWeek contacted the bank.

Mrs Folake Ani-Mumuney, group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, however responded to a follow-up email saying  “This is to confirm receipt in the first instance and to loop my colleague Ismail who is our Head of Media. I shall also forward this to our legal team who to my knowledge have engaged appropriately and as is our standard practice. Given there is legal engagement already this approach is therefore a surprise to me”

Mrs Ani-Mumuney did not get back at the time of filing this report even after another reminder.

On its part, Xtreme Cr8tivity Xpressions through Gee Law Firm, its lawyers claimed it has written to the bank thrice on the issue.

The first letter dated August 28, 2019, addressed to the managing director of First Bank, and signed by Femi Mathew Adedoyin of Gee Law Firm read:

DEMAND FOR PAYMENT OF THE SUM OF ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE MILLION NAIRA N125,000,000 TO XTREME CR8TIVITY XPRESSIONS LTD FOR THE DESIGN OF THE 125 ANNIVERSARY DIARY LOGO AND UNAUTHORISED USAGE OF WEBSITES, T-SHIRTS, BUIDLINGS AND OTHER MERCHANDISING BENEFITS BY FIRST BANK PLC WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF OUR CLIENT.

We have been consulted and our legal services retained by XTREME CR8TIVITY XPRESSIONS LTD (A design and innovation firm) of N0. 97, Channels Television Road, Isheri OPIC Extension, Ogun State (hereinafter referred to as “Our Client”) and on her behalf we write in connection with the above subject matter.

Itis the brief our Client that sometime in 2018, our Client having become aware of the impending 125th anniversary celebration of First Bank Pls, came up with a diary concept and special anniversary logo badge. Our Client made representation to the Bank and it was wholly welcomed and our Client was requested by the Bank to come up with different styles and patterns which if finally accepted by the Bank our Client will be fully paid.

In response to the demand of the Bank, our Client set out and made different molds at our Client’s costs. After same was submitted to the Bank, invoice was sent to the Bank’s negotiation team. For about three months our Client did not get any response from the Bank until a terse email was sent with a request that our Client varies the price for the anniversary diary project to half the price quoted in the invoice submitted by our Client. Our Client was shocked beyond words.

It was at a meeting later summoned by the top management of the Bank that our Client was informed that the Bank had secured another vendor to produce massively and our client was given a small quantity as a shared contract with the new vendor.

Our Client was surprised to note that the logo badge that was made by our Client was tweaked and used maximally for the 125thAnniversary on every medium available (Website, T-shirts, FBN Holdings Diaries, Backdrops, Envelopes, Headquarter buildings etc).

It was most shocking to our Client that the Bank that prides herself as one building a sound reputation with the highest standard of responsible behavior could desecrate the intellectual property of another without compensation.

In view of the above representation Sir, it is the instruction of our Client that we demand, and we hereby demand as follows;

  1. a) The payment of the sum of Twenty FiveMillion Naira (N25,000,000.00) being our Client’s due for relief design and logo.
  2. b) The payment of the sum of One Hundred Million Naira (N100,000,000.00) being damages for copyright infringement in the logo and design of our Client.
  3. c) FINALLY, the withdrawal of all materials bearing the design and logo the property of our Client from all internal and external outlets including the print and electronic media.

TAKE NOTICE that should the Bank failed, refused or neglected to pay the above sum totaling One Hundred and Twenty Five Million Naira (N125,000,000.00) to our Client within fourteen (14) days from the date of the receipt of this letter, we shall be left with no other viable option than to set in motion the legal machinery to recover same in a Court of competent jurisdiction with substantial cost.

In its second letter dated November 7, 2019 to the managing director of First Bank and signed by Nosakhare Uwadiae for Gee Law Firm, reiterated its demands.

The letter read:

RE: DEMAND FOR PAYMENT OF THE SUM OF ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE MILLION NAIRA N125,000,000 TO XTREME CR8TIVITY XPRESSIONS LTD FOR THE DESIGN OF THE 125 ANNIVERSARY DIARY LOGO AND UNAUTHORISED USAGE OF WEBSITES, T-SHIRTS, BUIDLINGS AND OTHER MERCHANDISING BENEFITS BY FIRST BANK PLC WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF OUR CLIENT.

The above subject matter refers.

You will recall that a letter dated 18thSeptember, 2019 was sent to you via a courier service company in response to your request that we furnish your Bank with a hardcopy of the logo, the unauthorized usage of which our Client; XTREME CR8TIVITY XPRESSIONS complained.

We are however surprised that since the delivery of our letter with the copies of the logo to your Bank through the courier service company; we have not received any comprehensive response from your Bank.

Please note that if within fourteen (14) days of the receipt of this reminder a response is not received from your Bank, we shall be left with no other viable option than to approach the appropriate court with requisite jurisdiction to ventilate the grievances of our Client without any further recourse to your Bank.

 

 

 


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E-Financial

Cyber Crime: Hackers to Hold Secret Conference 3.0  July 25

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The third edition of the annual cybercrime exposure and prevention event, The Hackers Secret Conference 2025 (THSC2025) is slated to be held on Friday, July 25, 2025.

Cyber Crime: Hackers to Hold Secret Conference 3.0  July 25

The event, which aims to bring stakeholders together to keep them abreast of prevailing criminal activities in cyberspace and the required preventive measures, will host key industry players and speakers from different ICT platforms to real out intriguing information that will aid crime fighting in this cyber era.

The event, which is organized annually by IIMONEX ICT LTD, a prominent ICT firm in Nigeria, will be held at the Prestigious Sheba Event Centre at number 20, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria at 9 am.

Keynote speaker expected at the event is Dr. Harrison Nnaji (Ph’D), Group CISO, First Bank.

Other guests expected at the event are Obiora Awogu, CISO, MTN PSB, Prayer Ufot, Cybersecurity, Data Protection Expert and AI Generalist; Adesola Oguntimehin, Founder, Cyber Patron Network, Delight Hamilton, Information Security Officer, Piggyvest and

Chief Executive Officer of iiMONEX, Mr. Udoh Michael Essiet describes the event as a cyber defence conference that brings together Cyber Experts, thought leaders, cyber security students, technology companies and technology vendors to discuss the latest cyber threats and how to defend against them.

According to him, “This year’s edition we are focusing on skills acquisition, we want to create opportunities for cyber security beginners, intermediate and advanced level professionals to network with industry leaders and kick start their career as cyber security Analyst and ethical hackers.

“We also want to create a live penetration testing session during THSC2025, Participants will watch ethical hackers break down attacks and provide expert solutions.

“In this year’s edition, we also invite Software Brands to authorize our ethical hackers to test their digital products live to gain users trust and Brand exposure.”

The THSC initiator however urged industry players to braze up for the event and throw their weights behind it for an effective impact on the industry and across the globe.

 


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E-Financial

SEC Flags ‘Punisher Coin’ As High-Risk Scheme

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The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a strong advisory, warning the Nigerian public against participating in the presale or promotion of a new cryptocurrency known as Punisher Coin, or $PUN, citing regulatory breaches and a high risk of investor fraud.

In a public notice released on Sunday, the capital market regulator described the ongoing presale of Punisher Coin as “unauthorized and illegal,” warning that the asset and its promoters are not registered to operate within Nigeria’s capital market ecosystem.

“The attention of the Securities and Exchange Commission has been drawn to several online publications blatantly advertising the unauthorized presale of a cryptocurrency termed Punisher Coin, also known as $PUN,” the SEC stated, citing a report in the Daily Trust e-paper which claimed the coin could rival established tokens like Avalanche and Chainlink.

The Commission categorically disassociated itself from the coin and emphasized that neither it nor its promoters have received regulatory approval.

“Punisher Coin aka $PUN and its promoters are not registered by the Commission to promote, launch, sell, trade, or solicit investments from the Nigerian public,” the statement read.

According to preliminary findings, the SEC said Punisher Coin qualifies as a “meme coin”—a type of digital asset typically lacking intrinsic value, utility, or a defined project roadmap. These coins are often driven by social media hype and influencer promotion, which the Commission warned makes them especially vulnerable to manipulation and sudden collapse.

“Further investigation has revealed that Punisher Coin or $PUN is a meme coin. Meme coins generally have no use case or intrinsic value. Their price movements are usually driven by social media buzz and influencer promotion, which are prone to manipulation and abrupt collapses,” the SEC added.

The Commission cautioned that such tokens are commonly used in “pump-and-dump” schemes, where promoters artificially inflate a coin’s value through hype before selling off their holdings at a profit—leaving unsuspecting investors with worthless tokens.

“In light of these findings, any person who invests in such a scheme does so at his or her own risk,” the SEC warned.

Reaffirming its investor protection mandate, the Commission urged Nigerians to verify the legitimacy of any crypto asset offering, as well as the registration status of promoters and platforms, via its official fintech verification portal: SEC Fintech Verification Portal

This latest warning reflects the SEC’s growing concern over the proliferation of unregistered digital asset schemes targeting Nigerian investors amid a global cryptocurrency boom.


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E-Financial

Gambaryan, Binance Executive Leaves Company after 8-Month Detention in Nigeria

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Gambaryan, Binance Executive Leaves Company after 8-Month Detention in Nigeria

Tigran Gambaryan, Binance executive,  is leaving the exchange after four years of service, eight months of which were marked by detention in Nigeria for money laundering allegations.

Gambaryan, Binance Executive Leaves Company after 8-Month Detention in Nigeria

Tigran Gambaryan, Binance executive Pix created by photogrid

Gambaryan, praises Changpeng Zhao’s commitment to building a stronger compliance framework.

Having been cleared of all charges, Gambaryan’s departure from Binance marks the end of a tumultuous chapter for both him and the company.

Earlier yesterday, Tigran Gambryan shared an X post, announcing his departure from Binance. He wrote, “Today is my last day at Binance, marking the end of a chapter I’m deeply proud of.”

In a heartfelt farewell, Gambaryan reflected on his four-year tenure at Binance, where he built and led the company’s global investigations function.

Addressing founder Changpeng Zhao, he praised his commitment to building a stronger compliance framework. He noted,

“[CZ] was committed to bringing in experienced leadership to help the company engage more constructively with law enforcement. His support for our mission never wavered, and I’ll always be grateful for the trust he placed in me and the team.”

Further, he highlighted the team’s notable achievements during his tenure. Notably, the team handled over 57,000 law enforcement requests and provided critical support in cases involving financial crimes. He has also led the training of thousands of officials worldwide.

To exemplify, he highlighted cases like assisting the Royal Thai Police.

The team helped them in taking down a massive $270 million crypto fraud scheme targeting citizens in Thailand and the US. He also pointed to the collaboration with Nigeria’s EFCC to recover over $400,000 in illicit funds and provide advanced training to their agents.

Notably, his departure comes following Coinbase’s recent data breach.

The incident exposed personal details of prominent figures like Sequoia Capital’s Managing Partner, Roelof Botha.

Tigran Gambaryan was the Head of Financial Crime Compliance at Binance, who served the exchange for four years.

During a business trip to Nigeria, Gambryan was arrested along with another Binance executive over money laundering allegations.

During his nearly eight-month detention, Gambaryan reportedly endured harsh conditions that took a toll on his health.

Though Gambaryan suffered from malaria and pneumonia, he reportedly received inadequate medical care.

In addition, in a September 2, 2024, court hearing, Gambaryan was subjected to ‘inhumane treatment’ by Nigerian authorities, as evidenced by a video.

However, following consistent requests from his family and influential figures, Gambaryan was finally released and cleared of all charges in October 2024.

It is noteworthy that the Nigerian government sued Binance when the exchange was facing a lawsuit from the US SEC.

While Nigeria is still pursuing the case, the SEC recently dismissed its lawsuit against the exchange.


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