Court Rules Against Domino’s Pizza in Landmark Data Privacy Case

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Eat’n’Go, the franchise owner of Domino’s Pizza in Africa, to pay ₦3 million for breaching a customer’s data privacy rights.

A Costly Marketing Blunder

The lawsuit, filed by Chukwunweike Akosa Araka on July 12, 2024, accused Jumia Food of unlawfully sharing his contact details with Eat’n’Go. Court documents revealed that Araka, who had used Jumia Food to order from Domino’s Pizza in March 2023, started receiving unsolicited marketing messages from the pizza chain seven months later. Despite multiple requests to stop, the messages persisted.

Araka argued that the direct marketing messages violated at least 11 data privacy laws, including the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), which mandates user consent before personal data can be used for marketing. “The responsibility is on businesses to ensure compliance with data protection laws,” his lawyers stated.

Justice Emeka Nwite ruled in favour of Araka, ordering Eat’n’Go to compensate him for violating his fundamental rights. While the ₦3 million awarded was far below the ₦125 million he initially sought, the ruling reinforces the legal requirement for consumer consent in data usage.

A Wake-Up Call for Nigerian Businesses

This case highlights growing concerns over data privacy violations in Nigeria, where businesses frequently share customer information without consent. Industries like fintech, e-commerce, and telecommunications have faced increasing scrutiny for similar breaches.

With more Nigerians becoming aware of their rights, companies that mishandle user data could face lawsuits and regulatory action. The ruling may push businesses to prioritise data protection and ensure they comply with the NDPA’s strict guidelines.

For privacy advocacy groups like PrivCon, the judgment is a significant win—but it also underscores the scale of data misuse in the country. As enforcement tightens, Nigerian businesses may have to rethink their approach to customer data or risk costly penalties.