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LICENSED LOTTERY OPERATORS FORUM DISAGREES WITH HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OVER SUPPOSED INDICTMENT

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We are solicitors to The Licensed Lottery Operators Forum which comprises most of the registered lottery operators in Nigeria.

Our clients have briefed us that at the proceedings of the House of Representatives on the 21st of May, 2018 certain comments were made by members of the House of Representatives Committee on Governmental Affairs with reference to lottery operations in Nigeria. The relevant conclusions to be deduced from the totality of the comments are as follows:

1.   All licenses issued from 2008 till date were not validly issued and all lottery operators including our clients are operating illegally as only one lottery company is legally authorized to practice in Nigeria.

2.   That Lottery Operators including our clients fraudulently diverted Government funds and are therefore indebted to the Federal Government to the tune of N1.3trillion naira only.

3.   That the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will be mobilized to recover the said N1.3trillion Naira from the Lottery Operators.

It has become necessary to issue this Press Release to create the correct impression as most members of the public will give serious attention to the above comments coming from an institution as respectable as the House of Representatives.

As a preliminary point, our clients are not a Department or Agency of Government charged with the responsibility of disbursing or administering moneys appropriated by the National Assembly and cannot by any stretch of interpretation be the subject of investigation by the National Assembly. Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides as follows:

(1)     Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, each House of the National Assembly shall have power by resolution published in its journal or in the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation to direct or cause to be directed an investigation into –

(a) any matter or thing with respect to which it has power to make laws; and

(b) the conduct of affairs of any person, authority, Ministry or government department charged, or intended to be charged, with the duty of or responsibility for –

(i)           executing or administering laws enacted by the National Assembly, and

(ii)          disbursing or administering moneys appropriated or to be appropriated by the National Assembly.

(2) The powers conferred on the National Assembly under the provisions of this section are exercisable only for the purpose of enabling it to –

(a) make laws with respect to any mater within its legislative competence and correct any defects in existing laws; and

(b) expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated by it.”

A cursory reading of the above constitutional provision clearly shows that in seeking to investigate our clients, the House of Representatives have obviously stepped outside their constitutional roles.

With respect to the first issue raised by the House of Representatives, the procedure for the issuance of licenses to Lottery Operators is clearly set out in the National Lottery Act. The provisions of the Act were duly complied with in the issuance of lottery licenses to our clients by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission. In any event, it is not the duty of the House of Representatives to determine the validity of the licenses and it is ultra vires the House of Representatives to revoke the licenses of Lottery Operators by proclamative fiat.

We do not want to assume, despite its probability, that these proclamations made by the House of Representatives are targeted at eliminating perceived competitors in the lottery industry and entrenching a monopoly as such a move will be resisted being contrary to the Federal Government’s policy on liberalization of businesses.

On the issue of the indebtedness of our clients to the Federal Government to the tune of N1.3trillion naira, it is important to point out that the House of Representatives is not in the proper position to assess the workings of the lottery industry. The fact remains that the lottery industry is bedeviled with many challenges and the revenue projected by the House of Representatives is unrealistic and far from the present state of affairs. As law abiding citizens, the Lottery Operators are willing to submit their books to scrutiny to the relevant agencies as evidence of the transparency of the Nigerian Lottery Scheme.

We would have thought that the House of Representatives would have devoted this time and effort into looking for ways to solve the problems bedeviling the lottery industry like multiple taxation, excessive regulation, high import duties and irregular cost template than dissipating energy on the present course.

While we recognize the oversight and investigative powers of the legislature under sections 88 & 89 of the 1999 Constitution, the said powers like we pointed out above are not at large and have been circumscribed by judicial decisions, the most recent of which is FESTUS KEYAMO V. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (SUIT NO. FHC/ABJ/CS/163/2009) By necessary application, the position of the court is to the effect that the House of Representatives of any of its Committees does not have the powers to accuse private citizens of companies of unwholesome or fraudulent conduct neither are they empowered to make recommendations or pass any resolution concerning the conduct of any private persons or company who is not charged or intended to be charged with the duty of administering laws enacted by the National Assembly or disbursing funds appropriated by the National Assembly.

The general public and investors are therefore alerted not to be misled by the so-called Resolution of the House of Representatives as it relates to the operations of our clients as the so-called Resolutions do not reflect the true position of facts and the law.

Thank you.

JOHN AINETOR, ESQ.

Assistant Head of Chambers

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ASR AFRICA FLAGS OFF CONSTRUCTION OF A N280 MILLION INTEGRATED PUBLISHING HOUSE FOR BABCOCK UNIVERSITY, ILISHAN-REMO, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

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ASR AFRICA FLAGS OFF CONSTRUCTION OF A N280 MILLION INTEGRATED PUBLISHING HOUSE FOR BABCOCK UNIVERSITY, ILISHAN-REMO, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

ASR AFRICA FLAGS OFF CONSTRUCTION OF A N280 MILLION INTEGRATED PUBLISHING HOUSE FOR BABCOCK UNIVERSITY, ILISHAN-REMO, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

 

 

 

 

Sahara Weekly Reports That The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), the philanthropic initiative of the Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu (CFR, CON), has flagged off the construction of a N280 million Abdul Samad Rabiu Integrated Publishing House for Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State. This project will enhance the capacity of the University from basic press status to a modern, integrated publishing house to encompass publishing, print production, and other related diversified services. The one-storey building facility will serve as a laboratory and studio for training students of communications, media studies, and allied disciplines as well as other disciplines.

 

 

 

ASR AFRICA FLAGS OFF CONSTRUCTION OF A N280 MILLION INTEGRATED PUBLISHING HOUSE FOR BABCOCK UNIVERSITY, ILISHAN-REMO, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

 

 

 

 

At the groundbreaking event, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ademola S. Tayo, expressed satisfaction at the nomination by ASR Africa, under its Tertiary Education Grant Scheme. He added that the choice of the project was a response to the vision to take the Mass Communications Department of the University to a whole new level. According to him, the university’s vision is to produce young men and women capable of critical thinking, and problem-solvers capable of proffering innovative solutions to problems of everyday life, be it social, political, and cultural.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In his response, Dr. Ubon Udoh, the Managing Director of ASR Africa, expressed his delight at the University’s choice of establishing an Integrated Publishing House. He added that when information is appropriately applied, human society is empowered to liberate itself from limitations and attain its full potential. Dr Udoh reiterated the commitment of the Chairman of ASR Africa, Abdul Samad Rabiu to supporting quality education within the tertiary education system in Nigeria and urged the institution to focus on the sustainability of this noble project. He also reiterated the importance of cooperation and collaboration between the university and the contractor for the timely delivery of the publishing house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About ASR Africa

ASR Africa is the brainchild of African Industrialist, Philanthropist, and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) was established in 2021 to provide sustainable, impact-based, homegrown solutions to developmental issues affecting Health, Education and Social Development within Africa.

 

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, PLEASE, ACT FAST!

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, PLEASE, ACT FAST! by Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, PLEASE, ACT FAST!

by Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi.

 

 

It’s no longer story that the preparation for the EndSars carnage went on for a while before its actual implementation.

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, PLEASE, ACT FAST!
by Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi.

 

But lack of proactive approach on the part of some people in the government of the day became a recipe for the actualisation of the dastardly act. History is about to be repeated, but I do not expect this to happen under the watch of President Bola Tinubu.

I do not say that people should not be allowed to protest if they have any reason to do so. But given the fact that the country does not have the capacity to separate genuine protesters from hoodlums, unnecessary protest should be curtailed.

Some people may be surprised that I call it unnecessary protest.

Yes, it’s unnecessary because this government has never displayed any act of rigidity since it took the mantle of leadership. It responds even to mere comments on social media expressly within. It is clear to every discerning and positive citizen that this government has become one of the most engaging one since 1999.

It has engaged with the organised labour on the minimum wage and it’s being passed to law. It has won autonomy for local government councils. It is on course for disbursements of students’ loans. It has given tax waiver for certain commodities and goods. You only protest against a government that is either passive, incorrigible or rigid. How can a government that is barely a year in office be protested against even when it has surpassed many of the past ones within one year? That cannot be called a protest but a mischief.

President Bola Tinubu should not be deceived by those who harp on funny fundamental human rights to cause mayhem. America is the country they use as a reference point. But American government does not take untoward attitude from anyone. If you want some you will be given some. There is no way for avoidable discomfort.

Kenyans are licking their wounds at the moment. We must not allow our own case to get to that point. I believe that many of those who are planning for the protest are children who do not know the implications of such a protest. Those who are old among them are those who would gladly set their universities’ libraries on fire in the name of students’ demonstration just because water tap didn’t run at the expected time.

Please, begin to show us that we have someone in charge of our affairs. Be more presidential Your Excellency. We know that it’s those who lost elections in 2023 and those they have recruited among those who think you have not compensated them among your conditional supporters that are behind the protest.

Please, refuse to be blackmailed. No matter what you do, there is but one mind in those people and it is turned against you. Please do everything humanly possible for PH REFINERY to work. Support Dangote Refinery to get crude oil locally.

We must not be importing fuel forever. Therefore, you should beware of the sinister motive of the August 1 planned protest, Your Excellency. May you continue to succeed and may all patriotic Nigerians continue to progress in all spheres of life in the mighty name of God.

Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi is an entrepreneur, opinion leader and a security analyst.

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Law Enforcement Training Institute ( LETI ) Commences Annual Mandatory Training

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Law Enforcement Training Institute ( LETI ) Commences Annual Mandatory Training.

 

 

The Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute ( LETI ) begins her Annual Mandatory Training Exercise for the year 2024 for Law Officers across the state.

The exercise, which will run for a duration of six weeks brings together officers from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority ( Lastma ), the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps ( Kai ), the Vehicle Inspection Service ( Vis ), the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps ( Lnsc ) and the Central Business District ( Cbd ) law Officers.

In her opening remarks, the CEO / Head of Leti Mrs Abiola Adeyinka emphasised on the importance of continual training for Law Officers to ” be at their best” and to ” embrace the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge.” she stressed the need for professionalism, integrity, and respect for the Rule of Law in the discharge of their duties as respectable officers of the state of excellence. The training program will cover a wide range of topics to include:
* Traffic management and Enforcement.
* Public safety and security.
* Human right and law enforcement.
* Conflict resolution etc.
* Interpersonal relations to mention but few.

Mrs Adeyinka reteirated the State government commitment to ensuring that Leti delivers on its mandate of providing high quality training to Law enforcement Officers in the state.

According to the Ceo, “The Governor of Lagos State has pledged the full support of his administration to Leti in its efforts to enhance the professionalism and effectiveness of Law enforcement in Lagos State. The annual mandatory training exercise is a testament to the Lagos State government commitment to ensuring a safe, secure and well- managed environment for all residents.

Law Enforcement Training Institute ( LETI ) Commences Annual Mandatory Training.

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