Medical Law Digest Q2 2026
The second quarter of 2026 saw significant regulatory and legislative activity across Nigeria’s healthcare sector — from expanded consumer protection powers over healthcare providers to new frameworks for digital pharmacies, health financing, and public health institutions. This edition of the Medical Law Digest covers the key developments. HIGHLIGHTS IN THIS EDITION: Healthcare Accountability Expanded as Court Confirms FCCPC’s Investigative Powers In a landmark judgment delivered 15 April 2026, the Federal High Court in Abuja affirmed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s authority to investigate patient complaints relating to healthcare services. Justice Emeka Nwite held that a healthcare provider offering diagnostic services for reward qualifies as an “undertaking” under the FCCPA 2018, and that the absence of a formal coordination agreement with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria does not suspend the FCCPC’s statutory powers. NAFDAC Proposes Mandatory Sodium Limits to Combat Diet-Related Diseases NAFDAC has proposed the Reduction of Sodium in Processed and Pre-Packaged Foods Regulations 2026, introducing mandatory maximum sodium limits across categories such as bread, instant noodles, processed meats, bouillon cubes, and snack foods, with phased reformulation targets aligned to the WHO’s 30% population sodium-reduction goal by 2030. Breaking the Cost Barrier: Renewed Calls for Public Funding of Sickle Cell Treatment The Oladipupo Foundation for Sickle Cell has urged the Federal Government to subsidise stem cell transplantation for people living with sickle cell disorder, arguing the procedure’s cost remains prohibitive for most Nigerian families despite its curative potential, and calling for expanded insurance coverage and anti-discrimination protections. Prescription-Only Antibiotics: Stakeholders Press for Stronger Controls Against Antimicrobial Resistance The Consumer Advocacy for Food Safety and Nutrition Initiative (CAFSANI) has called on the Federal Government to prohibit the sale of antibiotics without a valid prescription, citing antimicrobial resistance’s estimated 700,000 annual deaths and urging full implementation of Nigeria’s National Action Plan on AMR. Public Vigilance as a Regulatory Tool: Lagos Intensifies Campaign Against Medical Quackery The Lagos State Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) has reinforced its campaign against unlicensed healthcare facilities, urging residents to report unaccredited providers and to seek treatment only from facilities displaying HEFAMAA’s official accreditation logo under the Lagos State Health Sector Reform Law. Senate Backs Health Levy Reform to Strengthen Prevention and Healthcare Financing The Senate has passed the Customs, Excise Tariff, etc. (Consolidation) Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, replacing the fixed excise duty on sugar-sweetened beverages with a percentage-of-retail-price levy, with proceeds earmarked for health promotion, disease prevention, and expanded health insurance coverage. Health Insurance Mandate Extended to Nigeria’s Digital Workforce The National Health Insurance Authority has directed operators of app-based transport, food delivery, and logistics platforms to ensure workers engaged through their platforms are enrolled in health insurance schemes, giving effect to the compulsory coverage provisions of the NHIA Act 2022. Lawmakers Advance Comprehensive Alcohol Control Bill to Tackle Public Health Risks The House of Representatives has initiated the Control, Regulation and Reduction of Alcohol-Related Harm Bill, seeking to regulate the production, marketing, and consumption of alcoholic beverages nationwide while strengthening protections for minors and other vulnerable groups. Nigeria Introduces Comprehensive Regulatory Framework for Digital Pharmacy Services The Federal Government has […]
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Entertainment Law Digest Q2 2026
The second quarter of 2026 brought significant developments at the intersection of entertainment, copyright, and artificial intelligence — both within Nigeria and globally. This edition of the Entertainment Law Digest covers regulatory scrutiny of copyright administration, landmark AI-related litigation involving major record labels and global artists, and a pivotal U.S. Supreme Court ruling on ISP liability. HIGHLIGHTS IN THIS EDITION: Nigerian House of Representatives Launches Investigation into Alleged Copyright Royalty Diversion The House of Representatives has opened a formal probe into allegations that intellectual property revenues were diverted from rightful creative owners under the immediate past Attorney-General and Minister of Justice. Initiated by lawmaker Hon. Nkemkanma Kama following sustained pressure from the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) and industry stakeholders, the House Committee on Justice has been mandated to interface with the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Nigerian Copyright Commission, and industry stakeholders under Section 88 of the Constitution. IFPI Africa Conference Calls for Copyright Enforcement Reform The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry hosted its Africa Performance Rights Conference in Lagos on 31 March–1 April 2026, convening record label executives, collective management organisations, and government officials including Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy. Discussions centred on licensing reform, digital piracy enforcement, and establishing clearer contractual parameters for AI developers using copyrighted catalogs. U.S. Musicians’ Union Sues Universal Music and Warner Music Over AI Licensing On 5 June 2026, the American Federation of Musicians filed suit against Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group, alleging the labels licensed sound recordings to AI platforms Suno and Udio without notifying or compensating the session musicians involved — a potential breach of the industry-wide Sound Recording Labor Agreement. Taylor Swift’s Trademark Filings to Protect Her Voice and Image From AI Deepfakes Taylor Swift, through TAS Rights Management, filed three USPTO trademark applications on 24 April 2026 — including two “sound marks” for her spoken voice and a visual mark from her Eras Tour — in a novel attempt to combat unauthorised AI deepfakes. Zee Entertainment Sues Reliance-Disney Joint Venture Over Music Copyright Zee Entertainment filed a 1,800-page suit against JioStar (the Reliance-Disney media venture) at the Delhi High Court, alleging unlawful use of its music catalog after licensing agreements lapsed, and is seeking roughly US$3 million in initial damages. Dua Lipa’s Reported Personality-Rights Lawsuit Dua Lipa filed suit against Samsung Electronics in a California court, seeking US$15 million over the unauthorised use of a copyrighted festival photograph on retail packaging, raising questions about liability across corporate licensing supply chains. U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Cox Communications v. Sony Music In a unanimous ruling on 25 March 2026, the Supreme Court held that internet service providers cannot be held contributorily liable for subscribers’ copyright infringement based merely on generalised awareness — a significant limitation on rights holders’ ability to pursue ISPs for piracy. European Creator Coalition Demands Reform in Music Streaming and AI Regulation The European Composer and Songwriter Alliance hosted a conference in Brussels on 2 June 2026, bringing together EU policymakers to address generative AI’s impact on streaming royalties and to push for mandatory transparency and authorisation requirements […]
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New Judgement Alert! For Employees in the Nigerian Oil & Gas Industry
The Guideline states that no upstream oil company in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry is permitted to release a staff by way of dismissal, termination, and redundancy, except
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In-house Rainmaker Workshop
In line with our vision to be Nigeria’s Premier Law Firm reputed for delivering sterling services, the Management of Compos-Mentis LP makes it a call of duty to encourage continuous learning and development. On the 10th of April, staff of Compos-Mentis LP attended an in-house Rainmaker workshop held in a luxurious resort at Ikoyi, a high brow area in Lagos State. Vincentadministrator
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COMPOS MENTIS LP NEWSLETTER!
A new Compos Mentis News Letter is out!!! In this edition, we discuss: • Dispute Resolution Channels – Preliminary Considerations • A Lighted Nigeria: The Electricity Bill 2021 To The Rescue? • The Launch Of The e-naira Wallet: A Welcome Development In The e-commerce Space? • The Role Of The Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN) Regulations In Moderating Banker- Customer Relationships • Copyright And Artists: The Forgotten Rights of Creatives (continued) • Sterling And People-Centric: Key Highlights of CMLP’S Corporate Social Projects Of 2021 Download your copy “HERE” Vincentadministrator
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ANNUAL STRATEGY MEETING
At Compos Mentis Legal Practitioners, excellence is our watchword. In line with the firm’s vision and mission statement which is to become a provider of sterling services, it is our tradition to review our work policies, ethics and methods annually. We strongly believe that a good strategy is the prerequisite for achieving best results. On Thursday 3rd February 2022, the firm held its annual strategy meeting at our Warri office, The strategy meeting involved a heated brainstorming session between all members of staff in all our offices including our Lagos and Abuja offices. The strategy session was hosted by our very brilliant managing partner Emokiniovo Dafe- Akpedeye (MA (Oxon), FCIArb, Dipl.Arb), facilitated by our strategy consultant Mr Tony Alagbile and co-facilitated by our ever capable Chief Operating Officer, Nnoli Akpedeye ( FNSE, PMP, ACIArb) Having gone through a painstaking thorough review of our strategy, we can proudly say that we are now poised to offer Sterling services across all our practice areas. “Think Compos Mentis, think excellence!” #PremeirLawFirm #ComposMentis #Strategy #Team #StrategyMeeting Vincentadministrator
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Medical Law Training for Medical Professionals by CMLP
The media coverage of our recently conducted Medical Law Training for Medical Professionals at the Westend Hospital Warri.
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MP PRESENTED A PAPER AT NSE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING IN ABUJA
Our MP attended the just concluded Nigerian Society of Engineers conference which held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja speaking on “Wills – Preparing for the Inevitable”
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MP at the NBA Asaba Branch, on structuring your law firm…
Our MP was a Discussant at the NBA Asaba Branch law week. I spoke about “Structuring your law firm for increased profitability. Pictures below; administrator
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