….. Summit opens Tuesday September 15 in Port Harcourt
The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has strongly refuted allegations that it appropriated the concept and name of the Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit (NDEIS) from Mr. Kunle Nwiwa Junior, describing the claims as “misleading, mischievous, provocative and a misrepresentation of the facts.”
In a statement issued by its management, the Chamber maintained that it independently applied for and obtained a Trademark Acceptance Letter for the name Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit (NDEIS) in August 2025 under File No. NG/TM/O/2025/387284, following due regulatory procedures.
According to the Chamber, the timeline of events contradicts allegations that it copied or relied on any pending application by another party.
“While Mr. Nwiwa Junior’s application was reportedly still pending before the relevant authorities in September 2025, NDCCITMA had already completed its own application process and received its Trademark Acceptance Letter in August 2025,” the statement said.
The Chamber further argued that the term “Economic Summit” is a generic and widely used expression employed by governments, investors, businesses and development institutions worldwide to discuss economic policies, investment opportunities and development priorities.
It stressed that the use of such terminology does not grant exclusive ownership of the concept to any individual or organisation, noting that a distinction must be made between a general concept and legally protected intellectual property rights such as registered trademarks.
NDCCITMA also confirmed that the dispute is currently before the courts, with September 22, 2026, fixed for further hearing.
The Chamber disclosed that in Suit No. FHC/PHC/CS/57/2026, filed at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam granted an interim injunction restraining Mr. Kunle Nwiwa Junior and Keneva Consult Ltd. from allegedly interfering with the planned summit.
According to NDCCITMA, the court also directed the defendants to remove statements and publications allegedly made against the integrity, reputation and activities of the Chamber pending the hearing and determination of its motion for interlocutory injunction.
The Chamber emphasized that there is currently no court order stopping the Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit, scheduled to hold from September 15 to 17, 2026, and warned against attempts to create a contrary impression through media publications or other channels.
₦500 Million Demand Alleged
NDCCITMA further alleged that it has records of a demand purportedly made by Mr. Nwiwa Junior seeking ₦500 million as a condition for withdrawing his claims against the Chamber.
The organisation stated that the demand was rejected outright.
It also revealed that it had petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what it described as repeated harassment and threats directed at its officials, requesting appropriate intervention, including the invitation and questioning of Mr. Nwiwa Junior.
Despite the legal dispute, the Chamber said it remains committed to allowing the courts and relevant authorities to determine all outstanding issues while it continues to pursue its mandate of promoting commerce, industry, trade, agriculture, investment and sustainable economic development across the Niger Delta region.
Meanwhile, preparations have been concluded for the 2026 Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit, which is expected to be formally declared open by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on September 15, 2026, at the Obi Wali Conference Centre, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The summit will be held under the theme: “Driving Investment, Innovation & Industrial Growth in the Niger Delta.”
