QNET has noted media reports concerning the conviction of 21 companies by the Federal High Court in Lafia, Nasarawa State, following proceedings brought by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ravenewsonline reports.
Among the companies identified in these reports are entities named “Qnet Nigeria Ltd” and “Qnet Professional Skill Academy Ltd.”
QNET wishes to state unequivocally that these companies are not QNET companies and have no corporate affiliation with QNET.
Neither entity is owned, controlled or operated by QNET, nor are they subsidiaries, affiliates, authorised representatives or business partners of QNET. QNET did not incorporate these companies and did not authorise them to use the QNET name.
This issue of unauthorised use of the QNET name in Nigerian corporate registrations is not new to the company.
In 2023, QNET commissioned a search of records maintained by Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). That exercise identified 20 separately registered companies and business names incorporating the word “QNET” or variations of the QNET name, including the two entities subsequently named in the recent court proceedings. The identified entities had their own directors, shareholders or proprietors who have no affiliation with QNET.
Following that discovery, QNET, through its legal representatives in Nigeria, issued notices to the entities concerned informing them that the QNET name and trademark are proprietary to QNET and that their use of the name was unauthorised.
QNET’s Malaysian entity is the registered proprietor of the QNET trademark in Nigeria. The Nigerian Trade Marks Registry has issued QNET a Certificate of Registration for the QNET trademark under the Trade Marks Act.
QNET is a global lifestyle and wellness company that uses a direct selling business model to promote products that enable people to take charge of their health, well-being and lifestyle. Established in 1998, the company offers a range of products and services through its e-commerce platform.
QNET is not an investment company and does not operate or promote investment schemes. Its business is built around the sale of products and services, with commissions earned from product sales rather than recruitment.
In Nigeria, QNET operates through its official local partner and representative, Transblue Limited, which supports its activities in the country, including customer service, logistics, compliance and support for independent distributors.
QNET supports the efforts of the EFCC, the Securities and Exchange Commission and other Nigerian authorities to protect consumers and take action against unlawful investment schemes.
The company is engaging with the relevant authorities to ensure there is a clear distinction between QNET and unauthorised entities that have adopted or incorporated the QNET name without its permission.
QNET also respectfully urges media organisations reporting on the proceedings to make this distinction clear. References suggesting that “QNET” itself was convicted risk creating an inaccurate impression regarding a company that was neither charged nor a party to these proceedings.
QNET will continue taking appropriate legal and enforcement measures against the unauthorised use of its name and intellectual property in Nigeria.
