Trademark Dispute Over “Something Hooge” Resolved Amicably, Says PCCSIGN
A trademark dispute involving the popular catchphrase “Something Hooge,” widely associated with Nigerian comedian Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Ejekwu, aka Sabinus has been amicably resolved following engagements between the parties involved.
The President of the Practitioners of Content Creators, Skit-Makers and Influencers Guild of Nigeria (PCCSIGN), Ambassador Micheal Obinna Nwabufo, popularly known as Mike Premium, confirmed that the issues surrounding the phrase’s use in brand promotions have been settled through mutual agreement and professional dialogue.
The matter had earlier drawn attention within Nigeria’s creative industry after two major consumer brands — Peak Milk and Gala Sausage Roll — reportedly used elements connected to the comedian’s signature phrase in marketing campaigns.
Representing the interests of the content creator within the industry ecosystem, Mike Premium had previously initiated legal action seeking ₦1 billion in damages from FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC and ₦100 million from UAC Foods Limited over the alleged unauthorized use of the phrase.
However, providing an update on the matter, the PCCSIGN president said the dispute has now been resolved amicably, following negotiations that led to a mutually acceptable outcome between the parties.
According to him, the resolution marks a positive development for Nigeria’s growing creative industry, demonstrating that intellectual property disputes can be addressed constructively through lawful channels, dialogue and partnership.
The phrase “Something Hooge,” which gained widespread popularity through Sabinus’ comedy skits on digital platforms, had earlier been filed for trademark protection with the Industrial Property Office Registry of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment.
Official records show that the word mark “Something Hooge” was filed on November 26, 2021, and accepted on December 4, 2021, covering multiple trademark classes. These include Class 35 (advertising and business promotion), Class 36 (financial and commercial affairs), and Class 41 (entertainment, training and cultural activities).
Nwabufo explained that registering the phrase across several classes positioned it as a recognised intellectual property asset linked to Sabinus’ entertainment brand, strengthening the legal basis for protecting its commercial use.
He emphasized that the outcome of the case underscores the importance of respecting intellectual property rights in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital and entertainment ecosystem, particularly as content creators increasingly collaborate with corporate brands.
Beyond the immediate resolution, the PCCSIGN president noted that the guild is intensifying efforts to promote intellectual property awareness among content creators, skit-makers and digital influencers nationwide.
According to him, the guild has been engaging stakeholders across the creative ecosystem to encourage creators to properly register their intellectual property, formalize their businesses and establish structured partnerships with brands.
He further disclosed that PCCSIGN is currently developing several initiatives aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s creator economy. These include intellectual property awareness campaigns, industry guidelines for fair brand collaborations, capacity-building programmes for emerging creators and engagement with government institutions to support the digital content sector.
The initiatives, he explained, are designed to ensure that Nigerian creators can protect their ideas, negotiate fair commercial deals and build sustainable careers within the creative economy.
Nwabufo also commended his legal representatives, Eko Solicitors and LawCapitol, for their professionalism and dedication throughout the legal process.
He confirmed that no further legal action is pending, noting that the resolution reflects the gradual evolution of Nigeria’s creative industry into a more structured sector where intellectual property rights are increasingly recognised and respected.