Meta Wins $25m Privacy Battle As Court Dismisses Data Protection Suit

The Imo State High Court has dismissed a fundamental rights suit seeking US$25 million in damages from Meta Platforms Inc. over alleged violations of privacy and data protection rights.

Justice L. C. Alinnor of the Mbaitoli/Ikeduru Judicial Division dismissed the action brought by Chika B. Chukwuemeka, holding that she failed to establish that Meta had infringed her constitutional right to privacy or unlawfully processed her personal data.

Chukwuemeka had alleged that Meta collected, processed, profiled and used her personal information for behavioural advertising without her consent.

She argued that the alleged activities violated Section 37 of the Nigerian Constitution and provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.

Among the reliefs sought were declarations that Meta's alleged processing of her data was unlawful, orders restraining further processing, and an order directing the company to bring its data-processing operations in Nigeria into compliance with the Data Protection Act.

She also sought $10 million in general damages and $15 million in exemplary damages, together with post-judgment interest.

The NDPC Order At The Centre of the Case

A major part of the claimant's case relied on Final Orders previously issued against Meta by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).

Those regulatory orders had subsequently been challenged by Meta before the Federal High Court in Abuja in Meta Platforms, Inc. v. Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/355/2025.

The proceedings ended in a consent judgment under which the NDPC's Final Orders were set aside.

The Imo State High Court consequently held that the regulatory orders, having been set aside, could no longer provide the legal foundation for Chukwuemeka's claims.

The court also examined whether the case could succeed independently of the NDPC orders.

It found that the claimant had not presented sufficient evidence demonstrating how Meta specifically infringed her constitutional privacy rights or unlawfully processed her personal information.

According to the court, the remaining allegations were largely unsupported assertions and lacked the detailed factual evidence required to establish the alleged violations.

The court therefore dismissed the suit in its entirety.

The judgment, delivered on July 21, 2026, represents another significant development in Nigeria's evolving legal landscape around digital privacy, personal data and the responsibilities of major technology platforms.

What You Should Know
The case was filed against Meta Platforms Inc. over alleged privacy and data protection violations.
The claimant sought a total of US$25 million in general and exemplary damages.
The allegations centred on the collection, processing, profiling and use of personal data for behavioural advertising.
The case relied substantially on earlier NDPC Final Orders against Meta.
Those regulatory orders were subsequently set aside following proceedings before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The Imo State High Court found that the claimant did not provide sufficient independent evidence to establish the alleged privacy violations.
Why This Matters

The ruling highlights an important issue in Nigeria's developing digital economy: privacy claims must be supported by evidence capable of establishing the specific processing activity and alleged infringement.

It also demonstrates how developments in regulatory proceedings can affect subsequent private litigation.

For technology companies, data controllers and digital platforms operating in Nigeria, the case adds to the growing body of judicial consideration around the relationship between constitutional privacy rights, the Nigeria Data Protection Act and regulatory enforcement.

For users, it reinforces the growing importance of understanding how personal data is collected, processed and used across digital platforms.