Nigerian Trademark Tribunal Awards “Shanty Town” Ownership to Chinenye Nworah

The Nigerian Trademark Tribunal has ruled in favor of Chinenye Nworah and her production company, GCM Giant Creative Media Limited, granting them ownership rights to the trademarks “Shanty Town” and “Scar” in a dispute over the popular Netflix series.

The decision, dated July 18, 2024, dismisses a double intellectual property petition filed on January 10, 2024, by actress Ini Edo and Minini Empire Productions Limited (MEP).

According to a statement from Nworah’s representatives, the tribunal’s ruling confirms that Nworah and GCM Giant Creative Media Limited are the rightful owners of the trademarks related to “Shanty Town.”

In a separate but related decision, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) upheld the validity of copyright certificates issued to Nworah on July 24, 2024. The Commission dismissed Edo’s petition, further solidifying Nworah’s legal claim to the property.

Olisa Agbakoba, Nworah’s lawyer and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, commented on the ruling, saying, “The successful defense of these claims highlights the importance of protecting creative works and ensuring fair compensation for artists.”

“Shanty Town,” a six-part crime thriller directed by Dimeji Ajibola, was released on January 20, 2023, on Netflix. The series follows a group of young women pressured by powerful men to become sex workers. It features a cast including Chidi Mokeme, Ini Edo, Richard Mofe-Damijo, and Nse Ikpe Etim.

The legal dispute had put plans for a second season of the popular series on hold. With this ruling, the path is now clear for further development of the “Shanty Town” franchise under Nworah’s leadership.