In a precedent-setting case, Nigeria on Tuesday filed suit against three tobacco on allegations of damaging the health of the people, the companies' provision of jobs and scholarships notwithstanding.

The case is unprecedented in Nigeria, a country that had become the dumping ground for tobacco and its products by multinational companies constrained by statutes bearing on production and marketing procedures in the developed world.

In the suit, Nigeria named British-American Tobacco, Philip Morris International and International Tobacco Limited in seeking 12.5 billion dollars in damages.

Also joined in the suit as defendants are two affiliate companies of BAT, the British-American Tobacco (Nigeria) Limited and British- American Tobacco Investments.

The suit, filed by the office of Nigeria's Attorney-General, contends that tobacco-related products manufactured and sold by the defendants were addictive and hazardous to public health in Nigeria.

Specifically, the government sought a court injunction compelling the companies and their agents to cease the marketing, promotion, distribution and sale of the products to minors.

The plaintiff also asked for court order restraining the defendants from representing or portraying to persons under the age of 18 years "any alluring and misleading image regarding tobacco- related products."

It also asked the court to outlaw the sale and distribution of tobacco products within a one-kilometer radius of any school, hospital, cinema, or playhouse.

The plaintiff also asked the court to order the companies to fund a corrective public awareness campaign on smoking and its health implications, especially smoking-related diseases.

Maryam Uwais appeared on behalf of the Nigerian government when the case was mentioned before Tuesday before Justice Binta Murtala- Nyako.

The judge ordered that the defendants, who are outside the court's jurisdiction, should be served with the court summons through courier companies.

BAT is based in England, while Philip Morris International is based in Switzerland.