Federal High Court Sides with CBN, Dismisses Request to Block eNaira Trademark Use
The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed an interim injunction request filed by eNaira Payment Solutions Limited seeking to restrain the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from asserting rights over the “eNaira” trademark in the United States and other jurisdictions.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the ruling, rejecting the firm’s motion which sought to stop the apex bank from continuing with international trademark claims related to eNaira. The plaintiff had asked the court to direct the CBN to notify the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) about the ongoing litigation in Nigeria and to suspend any action concerning the eNaira mark until the substantive suit is resolved.
In addition, the company wanted the court to compel the CBN to stop presenting “eNaira” as Nigeria’s sovereign digital currency or legal tender in any global forum, and to halt efforts to prevent the firm from registering the name elsewhere.
However, the CBN, through its legal team, argued that eNaira is a national asset launched by the Federal Government and cannot be claimed by a private organisation. The apex bank further noted that it had already informed the USPTO of the eNaira’s status as Nigeria’s official digital currency.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho said granting the plaintiff’s request would cause greater harm to Nigeria’s economy and reputation. He highlighted that the “balance of convenience” did not favour the application and warned that the CBN could be placed in an “irreversible” position if the injunction were approved.
“The action of the CBN is preservatory. Granting this application would damage the Nigerian economy and its global standing,” the judge stated, concluding that the plaintiff’s claims lacked merit.
The matter has been adjourned to June 26, 2025, for the substantive hearing.
The CBN launched the eNaira in 2021 as part of its strategy to deepen financial inclusion and promote digital payment systems across Nigeria.
