Business
Exclusive! Scandal Hits Bet9ja As Betting Company Refuses To Pay N42.153m Winnings; Betting Firm Admits Error
Popular betting company, Bet9ja, is faced with credibility and image problem as it is being accused of failing to pay over N42 million won by three people who played some of their games.
Thegazellenews.com learnt exclusively that on Saturday, January 9th, 2016, the quartet of: Peter Ayomide, Sobamke Samuel, Akinwusi Funsho and Okunade Tokuwalope staked games on the following coupon/bet slips: B926APZAAQWAA-1143424 with N100; B918APZATPTTC-1143424 with N100; B90APZATRRST-98000 with N100; and B92A4ATCTQS-98000 with N200 respectively.
Thegazellenews.com’s investigation revealed that the games were played at 17:19, 17:28, 17:44 and 17:45 respectively.
At the and each coupon eventually won the following amount of money: B926APZAAQWAA-1143424 won N2, 193, 501. 94k; B918APZATPTTC-1143424 won N2, 193, 501. 94k; B90APZATRRST-98000 won N12, 588, 793. 72k; and B92A4ATCTQS-98000 won N25, 177, 587. 44k. The total amount won by the quartet was N42, 153, 385. 04k.
The winnings were immediately announced on the data base of KC Gaming Networks, owners of Bet9ja.
However, joy turned to despair for the quartet when Bet9ja fraudulently recalled the winnings it has announced on its database around 12 midnight and 1am of Sunday, January 10th, 2016.
All efforts by the quartet to actualise thier winnings were rebuffed by the management of the betting company.
On Friday, January 22nd, 2016, the quartet through their lawyers: Emawodia and Attorneys, Legal Practitioners and Arbitrators, wrote to the management of Bet9ja, explaining the staking of the game and winnings by the clients attaching all necessary documents proving their case and demands to the betting company.
The letter was signed by Barrister Kayode Oyemakinde.
It took the betting company almost a month to respond to the correspondence from the winning quartet’s lawyer.
In the letter signed by Chuks Emele, Company Secretary and Legal Adviser stated that the winnings could not have been paid because the games on which the quartet of Peter, Sobanke, Akinwusi and Okunade placed their bets have been played before the bets were placed.
According to Bet9ja, “the game in which your clients placed a bet on the 9th of January, 2016 at about 17:19pm, 17:28pm, 17:44pm and 17:45pm had already been played earlier on that same day at about 16:00pm. The kind of bet placed by your Clients is called “Anytime scorer” which means first to score.
“Therefore, as at the time your Clients placed their bet, they already knew the result (and) the names of first scorers”.
The betting company explained further that in view of this, the gaming quartet have contravened one of its cardinal rules under Clause 13 termed as “Palpable Errors” which means “whenever a bet has been erroneously accepted on a market which should have been suspended or removed such a bet is outrightly cancelled.
“You would agree with us that the bets placed by your Clients on the particular game whose results are already known and EVEN IF WRONGLY ALLOWED TO BE PLACED ON OUR NETWORK IS A MISTAKE and therefore cannot be considered a winning bet and based on our Terms and Conditions particularly the paragraph “Palpable Errors” mentioned above, we are right in declining to pay for the bets”.
Ordinarily, the explanation above might have settled the controversy over the payment of the winnings. However further investigation by thegazellenews.com revealed that Bet9ja cannot fully absolved itself from the controversy.
Bet9ja needs to explain why its betting rportal emains opened when the matches on which bettings are being placed have commenced. All over the world, betting portals are closed whenever the kick-off time is up.
Bet9ja also admitted that it made a mistake by allowing the game to be played, so the question is whether the betting quartet should take responsibility for the betting company’s mistake.
Thegazellenews.com further investigation revealed that the protesting quartet were not the only people who placed bets on the game at that particular time. Thousands other people placed bets on the matches at that particular period. Since Bet9ja has admitted mistake in allowing the bets to be placed, is the betting company refunding the betting to thousands who have placed bets on the matches.
Thegazellenews.com can authoritatively revealed that as at 6pm on Friday, June 2nd, 2017, the winning coupons are still on the data base of Bet9ja and described as “bet correctly registered on Bet9ja database” though the winning money has been recalled.
Business
Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.10% as NBS Reports Deflationary Trend
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Bank
Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar
Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar
In an economy shaped by constant shifts, the edge often belongs to those with the right information.
On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Alpha Morgan Bank will host the 19th edition of its Economic Review Webinar, a high-level thought leadership session designed to equip businesses, investors, and individuals with timely financial and economic insight.
The session, which will hold live on Zoom at 10:00am WAT and will feature economist Bismarck Rewane, who will examine the key signals influencing Nigeria’s economic direction in 2026, including policy trends, market movements, and global developments shaping the local landscape.
With a consistent track record of delivering clarity in uncertain times, the Alpha Morgan Economic Review continues to provide practical context for decision-making in a dynamic environment.
Registration for the 19th Alpha Morgan Economic Review is free and can be completed via https://bit.ly/registeramerseries19
It is a bi-monthly platform that is open to the public and is held virtually.
Visit www.alphamorganbank to know more.
Business
GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%
GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%
Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (GTBank), the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, Africa’s leading financial services group, today announced the launch of Quick Airtime Loan, an innovative digital solution that gives customers instant access to airtime when they run out of call credit and have limited funds in their bank accounts, ensuring customers can stay connected when it matters most.
In today’s always-on world, running out of airtime is more than a minor inconvenience. It can mean missed opportunities, disrupted plans, and lost connections, often at the very moment when funds are tight, and options are limited. Quick Airtime Loan was created to solve this problem, offering customers instant access to airtime on credit, directly from their bank. With Quick Airtime Loan, eligible GTBank customers can access from ₦100 and up to ₦10,000 by dialing *737*90#. Available across all major mobile networks in Nigeria, the service will soon expand to include data loans, further strengthening its proposition as a reliable on-demand platform.
For years, the airtime credit market has been dominated by Telcos, where charges for this service are at 15%. GTBank is now changing the narrative by offering a customer-centric, bank-led digital alternative priced at 2.95%. Built on transparency, convenience and affordability, Quick Airtime Loan has the potential to broaden access to airtime, deliver meaningful cost savings for millions of Nigerians, and redefine how financial services show up in everyday life, not just in banking moments.
Commenting on the product launch, Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd, said: “Quick Airtime Loan reflects GTBank’s continued focus on delivering digital solutions that are relevant, accessible, and built around real customer needs. The solution underscores the power of a connected financial ecosystem, combining GTBank’s digital reach and lending expertise with the capabilities of HabariPay to deliver a smooth, end-to-end experience. By leveraging unique strengths across the Group, we are able to accelerate innovation, strengthen execution, and deliver a more integrated customer experience across all our service channels.”
Importantly, Quick Airtime Loan highlights GTCO’s evolution as a fully diversified financial services group. Leveraging HabariPay’s Squad, the solution reinforces the Group’s ecosystem proposition by bringing together banking, payment technology, and digital channels to deliver intuitive, one-stop experiences for customers.
With this new product launch, Guaranty Trust Bank is extending its legacy of pioneering digital-first solutions that have redefined customer access to financial services across the industry, building on the proven strength of its widely adopted QuickCredit offering and the convenience of the Bank’s iconic *737# USSD Banking platform.
About Guaranty Trust Bank
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, a leading financial services group with a strong presence across Africa and the United Kingdom. The Bank is widely recognized for its leadership in digital banking, customer experience, and innovative financial solutions that deliver value to individuals, businesses, and communities.
About HabariPay
HabariPay is the payments fintech subsidiary of GTCO Plc, focused on enabling fast, secure, and accessible digital payments for individuals and businesses. By integrating payments and digital technology, HabariPay supports innovative services that make everyday financial interactions simpler and more seamless.
Enquiries:
GTCO
Group Corporate Communication
[email protected]
+234-1-2715227
www.gtcoplc.com
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