A Kano-based beverage company, Mamuda Beverages Limited has again been dragged to court over its Pop Energy drink.
The firm is allegedly to have violated the trademark of a well-established national brand, Fearless Energy drink.
Citing a blatant violation of intellectual property rights and a disregard for a prior court-approved settlement, Nigeria’s leading food and beverage company, Rite Foods Limited, who are the makers of the country’s No. 1 energy Ddrink, Fearless, has filed fresh legal action against Mamuda for what a source described as a repeated identity theft, product passing off and fraudulent imitation of its premium brand to confuse consumers.
In January 2025, Rite Foods sued Mamuda for infringing on the trademark and design of its iconic Fearless energy drink with the launch of a lookalike product, Pop Power.
However, in an apparent admittance of guilt, Mamuda sought for settlement. Based on the terms, a court-approved consent judgement was granted.
Some of the terms of settlement included that Mamuda would desist from further violation of Fearless’ trademark and identity pass-off. It also agreed to destroy all infringing products and pledged to change its design and avoid any form of identity imitation.
However, in a move that has drawn widespread condemnation, Mamuda, after destroying its initial products with Fearless drink’s stolen identity, has allegedly returned Pop Power to the market with only minor brand tweaks, which is possibly more confusing to consumers.
According to reports, the revamped product continues to mislead consumers, many of whom still refer to it as ‘small Fearless’, a development that not only flouts the spirit of the content and character of earlier court-endorsed resolution but also threatens consumer trust.
A source close to applicants clarified that the company’s recent exparte application, which sought for an urgent protection, has not been denied, despite some misleading media claims.
Rather, the Federal High Court in Abuja has decided to first hear Mamuda’s preliminary objection, a procedural formality that does not affect the strength of Rite Foods’ case.
Adding his voice to the issue, a resident of Kano and longtime Fearless drinker, Aminu Danladi
said: ‘Mamuda’s actions are not just disappointing — they are a grand deception to pass off the quality and explore the success of Fearless energy drink. Rather than being original, they are trying to exploit a well-established brand, which is against fair competition. I’ve been drinking Fearless since it launched. When friends started asking for ‘small Fearless’, I was shocked. It’s unfair to hardworking brands that invest in originality’.
Reaffirming this stance, another Kano resident, Faroq Ismail emphasised the need to protect brands that invest heavily in quality, creativity, and consumer trust from being undermined by opportunistic limitations that seek to profit from other companies’ innovations.
A source at Rite Foods Limited said: ‘As the leader in Nigeria’s energy drink sector, we owe it to our consumers, partners, and the broader business community to defend originality against opportunism’.
Since its launch, Fearless energy drink has transformed the sector’s landscape as the first proudly Nigerian-made brand, packaged in PET bottles. With bold flavours like Red Berry and Classic, and a powerful brand spirit rooted in ambition and resilience, Fearless has become much more than a beverage — it’s a movement.
The ‘I Can, I Am’ spirit now drives a generation to push boundaries and chase success.
Backed by world-class production facilities and a vibrant Fearless Geng community, the energy drink continues to set the pace, standing tall as the undisputed trailblazer in its market.
