The Federal High Court in Katsina has barred the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) from registering or retaining “Jibia Traders Union” or a confusingly similar name.
In its judgment in Suit No. FHC/KT/CS/3/2026, delivered on June 18, 2026, the court ruled in favour of the Incorporated Trustees of Jibia Traders Association. It held that the association was entitled to exclusive use of its registered name, aims, objectives and activities.
The court declared that the second and third defendants, Samaila Abubakar Adam and Haruna Sada Zare, could not lawfully register “Jibia Traders Union” because the name was identical or similar to that of the plaintiff. It also declared any proposed registration of that name, or one closely resembling the plaintiff’s name, unlawful and invalid.
The court further ruled that the CAC lacked the legal authority under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020, to register a name identical or confusingly similar to that of an existing incorporated trustee. It ordered the commission not to register or retain “Jibia Traders Union” or a deceptively similar name.
The order also permanently restrained Adam and Zare, and those acting through them, from carrying out activities identical or similar to those of Jibia Traders Association. The court awarded ₦2 million to the plaintiff against the second and third defendants.
The judgment followed an originating summons filed on January 22, 2026, seeking the court’s decision on two questions. The court answered both questions in the affirmative and granted the requested reliefs in part.
The judgment was delivered by Justice H. Dadan-Garba, Ph.D., at the Federal High Court’s Katsina Judicial Division. The plaintiff was represented by M.T. Stephen and D.L. Dafer, while M.D. Gittick appeared for the second and third defendants; the CAC was not represented.
