Keyamo petitions IGP over police harassment of lottery operators

Lawyer, social crusader and critic Festus Keyamo has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris over what he described as unlawful harassment of lottery operators in Lagos.

Keyamo called on the Nigerian police in the petition to obey a subsisting court order and forthwith stop the incessant and unlawful harassment, molestation and intimidation of lottery operators in Lagos by the Lagos state lottery board with the aid of men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force.

Part of the petition sent by Keyamo’s Chambers reads thus; “We write to kindly and respectfully draw your attention to the clear position of the law regarding the perennial dispute between the Lagos State Government and the Federal Government in respect of the right to regulate, license or invoke the law relating to lottery operations in Nigeria. This has become necessary because of the constant harassment and molestation of customers and staff of lottery companies operating in Lagos State by the Lagos State Lottery Board. One of such companies is Mobile Lottery Nig Ltd.

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“The raging war between the Federal Government of Nigeria and Lagos State Government over the operation of lottery business in Lagos State has a protracted history. However, as far back as 7th December, 2009 in a case between NATIONAL LOTTERY REGULATORY COMMISSION & ANOR VS. HON. ATTORNEY GENERAL OF LAGOS STATE in Suit No: FHC/ABC/CS/07, the dispute was submitted clearly for adjudication and the dispute was laid to rest in a judgment delivered by Per A. M. Liman.

“In resolving the major question for determination in the suit which was, whether a license granted under the National Lottery Act, 2005 to engage in National or Inter state Lottery business in Nigeria does not entitle the licensee to freely carry on its trade between states and in particular from and into Lagos State without liability to obtain license under the Lagos State Lotteries Law, 2004, the court held that:

“The National Lottery Act, 2005 being an Interstate Trade and Commerce, any grantee of a license is free to carry on its trade between states and in particular from and into Lagos State without liability to obtain approval or license from the Lagos State Government”, the petition read in part.

In recent past, lottery agents have been harassed by policemen and council officials who extort money from them sometimes through arm twisting and dehumanising means despite the fact that they are doing legal business.

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