A Federal High Court in Sokoto on Thursday adjourned a N100 million infringement of copyrights suit filed by Dr Aminu Shehu, against E-health Africa, a consultant with Bill and Malinda Gate Foundation, untill May 15.
Justice Saleh Idrissa fixed the date after Shehu’s Counsel, Mr Muhammad Sambo, told the court that the Defence Counsel, Mr Bassey Ewang was not in Court.
Following the development, Justice Idrissa, adjourned the case for hearing as this was the first time the defence counsel did not appear in court.
The court had earlier granted Shehu’s request for supporting documents from Department of State Security Services and Sokoto State Ministry of Health.
Similarly, the court granted leave for the defensc to amend its statement which was also not opposed by Shehu’s Counsel.
NAN reports that Shehu, a Medical Doctor in Sokoto State, dragged E-Health Africa System to court over alleged copy right violations.
In his statement of claims, Shehu claimed that he was the original owner of a literary work “Supervising Every Team” (SET) which he created since 2013.
The plaintiff said the work was being use for the supervision and monitoring of polio vaccinations staff everywhere they might be, to determine if they were real staff trained to do the work.
He alleged that he made presentations on the idea in Kano and Abuja during incident manager’s review meeting, the defendant was present which made it to easily copy and infringe upon his copyright.
He urged the Federal High Court to declare him the original owner of the registered literary work and the acts done or permitted to be done by the defendant as void.
The plaintiff averred that the use of SET without his consent or permission and authorization constituted an act of infringement of his copyright.
He also sought an order of injunction restraining the defendant forthwith whether by itself, servants, agents, privies or otherwise from further infringing on his right.
He also demanded for N100 million as general damages.