The raging brand dispute in Nigeria’s herbal health drink market has taken a dramatic turn as Cleansimur International Limited slammed Jigsimur Plus Nigeria Limited with a staggering ₦200.2 billion counterclaim at the Federal High Court, Lagos.
The counterclaim follows an earlier suit by Jigsimur Plus Nigeria Limited, which is seeking ₦100.2 billion in damages from Cleansimur International Limited over alleged imitation and piracy of its purported herbal product, Jigsimur Health Drink.
In the suit marked FHC/L/SC/1953/25, Jigsimur Plus claims exclusive rights to sell Jigsimur products in Nigeria and accuses Cleansimur of copying and pirating its product.
However, in a detailed Statement of Defence and Counter-Affidavit, Cleansimur International Limited dismantled those claims and accused Jigsimur Plus of falsehood, brand hijack, counterfeiting and consumer deception, while demanding ₦200.2 billion in damages.
‘Plaintiff’s Claims Are False and Fabricated’: Cleansimur In an affidavit sworn to by Mr Muoneke Mrchal Oluchukwu, a director of Cleansimur International Limited, the company described all averments contained in Jigsimur Plus’ motion for interlocutory injunction filed on 29 September 2025 as false, misleading, and a calculated attempt to deceive the court.
Cleansimur categorically denied all allegations of imitation and piracy, insisting that the plaintiff approached the court with unclean hands.
Who Owns the Brand?
Cleansimur Lays Out the Facts
Cleansimur International Limited stated that it was duly incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria on 15 March 2023 to deal in health beverages and general merchandise.
More critically, Cleansimur revealed that it is lawfully authorised by Jigsimur SA (Pty) Limited, the original creator and owner of both the JIGSIMUR and CLEANSIMUR herbal drink formulas and brands, to register and distribute CLEANSIMUR in Nigeria.
According to court filings, the parent company, Jigsimur SA (PTY) Limited, has terminated Jigsimur Plus Nigeria Limited’s distributorship and, by a Power of Attorney dated 15 June 2023 and an Exclusivity Agreement, appointed Cleansimur International Limited as its sole agent, distributor, and exclusive representative in Nigeria.
The parent company is duly licensed by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), while Cleansimur International Limited has secured NAFDAC certification and registered the CLEANSIMUR trademark in Nigeria.
Allegations of Counterfeiting and Fake Variants
Tracing the history of the Jigsimur product, Cleansimur disclosed that the original formula was discovered in the 1980s by Deon Ungerer who died in 2018, with production later handled by Deon’s wife Rouxnel Ungerer, whose 2003 South African trademark registration lapsed in 2020 before being lawfully re-registered in May 2023 and assigned to Jigsimur SA (Pty) Limited.
Cleansimur further alleged that while Jigsimur Plus was only authorised between 2018 and 2023 to distribute 750ml products, it illegally introduced a 250ml variant from an unknown source using the JIGSIMUR name and branding.
This act, Cleansimur said, amounted to adulteration and counterfeiting, leading to the termination of Jigsimur Plus’ distributorship on 1 June 2023 for gross misconduct.
“Despite the termination, Jigsimur Plus allegedly continued to manufacture and sell fake products using a non-existent South African entity, “JIGSIMUR PLUS HEALTH DRINK SA (PTY) LTD,” while hijacking the legitimate Jigsimur trademark.”
Petitions, Fake Manufacturers and Alleged Deception
Cleansimur revealed that Jigsimur SA (Pty) Limited, through its Nigerian solicitors, petitioned NAFDAC over the counterfeiting and the use of a non-existent foreign manufacturer.
The Respondent further accused Jigsimur Plus of misrepresenting facts before the court by falsely presenting “JIGSIMUR SA ORIGINAL (PTY) LTD” as its manufacturer, a claim Cleansimur says is contradicted by Jigsimur Plus’ own NAFDAC certificate that bears the non-existing company JIGSIMUR PLUS HEALTH DRINK SA PTY LTD.
According to Cleansimur, the plaintiff allegedly acquired a shelf company recently, using its backdated records, and renamed it JIGSIMUR SA ORIGINAL (PTY) LTD to mimic the genuine parent company JIGSIMUR SA PTY LTD in a desperate attempt to sustain public deception.
‘Cleansimur Is the Authentic Product’
Cleansimur maintained that CLEANSIMUR is the authentic, rebranded product, manufactured with the original aloe ferox content and licensed directly from Jigsimur SA (Pty) Limited to protect consumers from fake and adulterated products.
The company consequently warned that granting Jigsimur Plus’ injunction would shut down a legitimate NAFDAC-approved product, shield illegal activity, endanger public health, and cause irreparable damage to Cleansimur’s business and reputation.
₦200.2bn Counterclaim and Reliefs Sought
Meanwhile, Cleansimur accused Jigsimur Plus of defamatory publications, malicious regulatory petitions, financial sabotage, and reputational harm, resulting in massive losses and legal costs.
It is asking the court to declare that: Jigsimur Plus’ distributorship was lawfully terminated on June 1, 2023.
That Cleansimur International Limited is the exclusive Nigerian agent of Jigsimur SA (Pty) Limited. That Jigsimur Plus approached the court with unclean hands.
Cleansimur is also seeking: A perpetual injunction restraining Jigsimur Plus from using “JIGSIMUR,” “JIGSIMUR PLUS,” or similar names, an order restraining further defamatory publications and an order directing regulators to seize and destroy infringing products.
In monetary terms, Cleansimur demands:₦200,000,000,000 in general damages, ₦100,000,000 special damages and ₦100,000,000 ascost of the present suit
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