The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Domino’s Pizza, operated by Eat‘n’Go Limited, to pay ₦3 million in damages to a customer for breaching his privacy rights. The court found the company guilty of sending unsolicited marketing messages without the customer’s consent, marking a significant precedent in Nigeria’s data protection landscape.
The case was brought forward by Chukwunweike Araka Akosa, who first noticed the issue on December 14, 2023, when he received a promotional message from Domino’s Pizza on his phone. The message, which began with “Hi Jumians,” suggested that his personal data had been obtained from Jumia Food, an e-commerce platform where he had previously placed an order. Despite Akosa’s efforts to resolve the matter directly with Jumia Food, the unsolicited messages persisted, totaling 16 instances by May 25, 2024.
Frustrated by the lack of resolution, Akosa sought legal assistance from Equibridge Attorneys (EBA) and filed a formal complaint through Paradigm Initiative’s Ripoti platform, a digital rights advocacy tool. The case was filed on July 12, 2024, and concluded swiftly within eight months, with a ruling delivered on February 18, 2025.
During the hearing, it was revealed that Jumia Food had shared Akosa’s personal data with Domino’s Pizza under an On-Demand Service Agreement (ODSA). However, Domino’s Pizza used this information for marketing purposes without obtaining Akosa’s explicit consent, a clear violation of Nigeria’s data protection laws.
Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that Domino’s Pizza had breached Section 37 of Nigeria’s Constitution and Sections 25 and 26 of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023.
The court emphasized that:
Domino’s Pizza acted as a data processor under the NDPA and had no legal right to repurpose Akosa’s data for marketing without his consent.
Jumia Food fulfilled its duty by warning Domino’s to stop using the customer’s data unlawfully.
Domino’s Pizza ignored these warnings and continued sending unsolicited messages, making it solely liable for the violations.
In addition to awarding ₦3 million in damages to Akosa, the court ordered Domino’s Pizza to erase his personal data from its systems and cease all direct marketing communications with him.
The ruling has been widely celebrated as a milestone for digital rights in Nigeria. Paradigm Initiative, which supported Akosa through its Ripoti platform, called it a “landmark case” that reinforces the importance of enforcing Nigeria’s data protection laws.
“This judgment highlights the importance of consent in data processing,” Equibridge Attorneys stated after the ruling. “It sends a strong message to businesses that unauthorized use of personal data will not be tolerated.”
Legal experts have also highlighted how quickly this case moved through the courts, a rarity in Nigeria’s legal system. Oladiupupo Ige, Managing Partner at EBA, praised the efficiency of the process: “We commenced this case on July 12, 2024, and got judgment on February 19, 2025, just eight months.”
This ruling signals a new era of accountability for businesses operating in Nigeria. With stricter enforcement expected from the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), companies must now prioritize compliance with data protection laws or face severe consequences.
Key takeaways for businesses include:
Consent is mandatory, Companies must obtain explicit consent before using customer data for marketing purposes.
Data controllers bear responsibility – Platforms like Jumia Food must ensure their partners comply with data protection regulations.
Legal risks are real – Violating Nigeria’s data privacy laws can lead to financial penalties and reputational damage.
The Akosa v. Domino’s Pizza case is more than just a personal victory, it is a turning point for digital rights and privacy protection in Nigeria. It serves as a warning to businesses that mishandling customer data will not go unpunished in this new era of stricter enforcement under the NDPA 2023.
