Wasiu Adegbite Adeyemi, developer of Ronade ERP Software
Justice Abimbola Awogboro of a Federal High Court, Lagos judicial division, has made an order of perpetual injunction restraining a software firm, Fintrak Software Company Limited from issuing libelous letter against one Wasiu Adegbite Adeyemi.
Justice Awogboro, while clearing Wasiu Adegbite Adeyemi (carrying on business under the name and style as Ronade Consulting) of intellectual and property theft allegations, also declared as the real owner of the Ronade Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, a specialized banking application designed for Islamic banking operations.
Justice Awogboro made above orders and more last Friday, while delivering judgment in the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1177/2020, filed by Adeyemi against the dou of Fintrak Software Company Limited and Taj Bank Limited, listed as first and second were defendants.
Adeyemi through his lawyer, Olanrewaju Jolaoso Esq. had dragged both Fintrak Software Company Limited and Taj Bank Limited before the court, wherein he prayed for the followings: “a declaration that the Plaintiff is the rightful and legitimate owner of the complete suite of Banking Enterprise Software Application known and referred to as Ronade Enterprise Resource Planning registered trademark- Ronade EP with registration number NG/TM/0/2020/171116 and copyright application number 269488 by virtue of the combined provision of Sections 1 (1) (a), 6, 12 and 51 of the Copyright Act 2004.
“A declaration that the 1st Defendant’s correspondence to Titan Trust Bank dated July 31st 2020 and the 1st Defendant’s Solicitor’s letter (issued at the behest and instructions of the 1st Defendant) to the 2nd Defendant dated March 2nd 2020, laying claim of ownership to the Plaintiff’s invention, to wit; the complete suite of Banking Enterprise Software Application known and referred to as Ronade Enterprise Resource Planning registered trademark-Ronade ERP with registration number NG/TM/O/2020/171116 and Copyright Application Number: 269488)’solution’’), which it knows to be false but deliberately misrepresented to have been stolen by the Plaintiff is oppressive, unlawful, and illegal.
“A declaration that the 1st Defendant’s correspondence to Titan Trust Bank dated July 31st 2020 and the 1st Defendant’s Solicitor’s letter issued at the behest and instructions of the 1st Defendant) to the 2nd Defendant dated March 2nd 2020, laying claim of ownership to the Plaintiff’s invention, to wit; the complete suite of Banking Enterprise Software Application known and referred to as Ronade Enterprise Resource Planning registered trademark Ronade ERP with registration number NG/TM/O/2020/171116 and Copyright Application Number:26488 (‘‘the solution’’), which it knows to be false but deliberately misrepresented to have been stolen by the Plaintiff amounts to an infringement of the Plaintiff’s copyright as protected by Section 5 (vi) of the Copyright Act, 2004.
“A declaration that the 1st Defendant’s correspondence to Titan Trust Bank dated July 31st 2020 and the 1st Defendant’s solicitor’s letter (issued at the behest and instructions of the 1st defendant) to the 2nd Defendant dated March 2nd, 2020, laying claim of ownership to the Plaintiff’s invention, to wit; the complete suite of Banking Enterprise Software Application known and referred to as Ronade Enterprise Resource Planning registered trademark- Ronade ERP with registration number NG/TM/O/2020/171116 and Copyright Application Number:269488 (‘‘the Solution’’), amounts to the 1st Defendant PASSING OFF the Solution as its own.
“An order directing the 1st Defendant to pay the Plaintiff the sum of N200, 000,000.00 (Two Hundred Million Naira) for passing off the solution.
“An order directing the 1st Defendant to pay the Plaintiff the sum of N250 million, for the deliberate libelous correspondences issued to third parties by the 1st Defendant and its Attorneys.
“Interest at the rate of 21% before Judgment and 10% after Judgment until all judgment debt is fully liquidated
“The sum of N100 million, being general damages for the inconvenience, hardship, loss of business opportunity, loss of reputation caused to the Plaintiff by the actions of the 1st Defendant.
“An order of Perpetual Injunction restraining the 1st Defendant, its Agents, privies, proprietors, Directors and howsoever described from passing off the Solution and or issuing any letter, correspondence, or any form of publication laying claim of ownership to either part or whole portion of the solution.
“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st Defendant, its Agents, Privies, Proprietors, director, and howsoever described from intimidating the Plaintiff and or laying claim to ownership of the Solution or any portion thereof.
“An order directing the 2nd Defendant to honor all contracts entered with the Plaintiff and fulfil all or any obligation arising therefrom.
“An order directing the 1st Defendant to issue a written apology to the Plaintiff and to publish the written apology tin two National Dallies circulating in Nigeria within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court. And the sum of N10 million, being the cost of this action.
But, the 1st defendant, Fintrak Software Company Limited, through their counsel, Norris Quakers (SAN), filed various processes,and prayed the court to dismiss the Plaintiff’s suit.
It also filed counter-claims against TAJ Bank, the second defendant represented by Olamide Balogun Esq.
Delivering judgment in the suit on Friday, 5th June 2026, Hon. Justice Awogboro held that the plaintiff successfully established through credible and largely unchallenged evidence that he conceived, designed, and developed the Ronade ERP software.
The judge also noted that the software was specifically built for Islamic banking architecture and found that Fintrak failed to demonstrate prior involvement, expertise, or capacity in developing such a specialized solution.
Justice Awogboro further relied on evidence presented by the plaintiff, including copyright and trademark registration documents and portions of the software source code, in reaching the conclusion that Adeyemi was the author and rightful owner of the software.
The court consequently declared Adeyemi the lawful owner of the Ronade ERP software and ruled that letters issued by Fintrak alleging theft of the software were unjustified and unlawful.
The judge also held that the 2nd defendant, TAJ Bank has incurred no liability.
The judge while declining the monetary compensation sought by the Plaintiff, held that: “The Plaintiff led credible and largely uncontroverted evidence that; he conceived, designed, and developed the Ronade ERP software; the software is a specialized Islamic banking solution distinct from conventional banking applications; he applied for copyright and trademark protection (Exhibits D1 and D2); and Exhibit B (sample source code).
The Judge held that…
“Consequent upon the above findings, the Plaintiff is entitled to the declaratory relief on ownership having established same. “It is hereby declared that the Plaintiff is the rightful owner of the Ronade ERP software.
“It is hereby declared that the contract between the Plaintiff and the 2nd Defendant has been validly terminated and is no longer subsisting.
“It is hereby declared that the 1st defendant’s letters/publication alleging theft by the Plaintiff are unjustified and unlawful.
“The claim for passing off is granted.
“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st Defendant from writing further letters is granted.
“The counterclaim succeeds only to the extent of breach of employment, and fails in respect of ownership and full monetary claims.
“The 2nd Defendant bears no liability and all claims against it are dismissed.
“Parties shall bear their respective costs.”
