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  • NLRC grants licence to MorRich Lottery

    NLRC grants licence to MorRich Lottery

    …as Mumuni promises highest standards of integrity, transparency

    The National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) has issued a license to MorRich Lottery Limited.

    The Director General of the NLRC, Hakeem Gbajabiamila, presented the license to the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Abayomi Nurain Mumuni on Tuesday, July 9, in Abuja.

    In his remarks, Mumuni expressed gratitude to the agency for approving the license and used the opportunity to thank the company’s supporters for their ongoing support.

    Mumuni said: “All the Directors here present, Ladies and gentlemen. I stand before you today filled with immense gratitude and appreciation as we celebrate the granting of our lottery license. This milestone is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and vision of everyone involved in making this dream a reality.

    “The opportunity to hold this license is not just a privilege, but a responsibility that we do not take lightly. It is a reflection of the trust placed in us by our community, and we are committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and social responsibility in all our operations.

    “I want to express my deepest gratitude to all the team members who have worked tirelessly to secure this license. Your unwavering dedication and perseverance have been instrumental in making this moment possible. Your passion and commitment to excellence have set us apart and positioned us for success in this new chapter.

    Read Also: NLRC refutes allegation of zero remittance

    “I also want to thank our partners, supporters, and stakeholders who have stood by us every step of the way. Your belief in our vision and your continued support have been invaluable in helping us navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that come with obtaining this license.

    “To the regulatory authorities who have entrusted us with this responsibility, I can assure you that we will operate with the utmost professionalism, accountability, and adherence to all regulations and guidelines. We recognize the importance of maintaining the highest ethical standards and will make it a top priority to ensure full compliance with all requirements.

    “As we embark on this exciting journey with our new lottery license, we are filled with optimism and determination to make a positive impact on our community. We understand the significant role we play in promoting responsible gaming practices, supporting local initiatives, and contributing to the well-being of those around us.

    “In conclusion, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you who has contributed to this achievement. Your support, encouragement, and belief in our mission have been the driving force behind our success.

    “Let us move forward with confidence, unity, and a shared sense of purpose as we embrace the opportunities that lie ahead. Together, we can make a difference and create a future filled with hope, opportunity, and prosperity for all.”

  • NLRC refutes allegation of zero remittance

    NLRC refutes allegation of zero remittance

    The National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) has disassociated itself from a report falsely alleging that the Commission generated N6.3 billion in 2022 but remitted zero naira.

    In a statement by the Commission, its Director-General, Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila, said NLRC has become aware of a misleading report circulating on social media on a video from the National Assembly Committee on Finance interrogating an agency.

    He stated that the report did not pertain to the NLRC.

    He emphasised: “This deliberate dissemination of misinformation threatens the reputation and trustworthiness of the lottery sector and the credibility of the NLRC itself.

    “Our bedrock of trust and credibility, which we have painstakingly built over the years, is eroded by these deliberate attempts to mislead, and we are deeply troubled by this. 

    “Let me be unequivocal in stating that the NLRC disassociates itself from the recent false claims erroneously or deliberately linking us to alleged fund misappropriation by the Nigerian Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF). The House of Representatives Committee on Finance quizzed the NLTF on the mentioned day.

    “However, confusion arose when the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and Channels Television mistakenly referenced the NLRC instead of the intended entity, the NLTF, in their reports. Both media agencies promptly issued an apology to the NLRC for this error. “

    Read Also: Nigerians battle acute hunger amidst insecurity

    He   clarified that the trillions of Naira the NLTF is purportedly asserting as the Nigerian lottery industry valuation are unfounded and merely sensationalist, seeking attention rather than truth. “The assertion becomes even more ridiculous when juxtaposed with the current GDP. Moreover, the NLTF is neither the regulator nor custodian of lottery figures in Nigeria.”

    He added that the much-needed Central Monitoring System (CMS), which the NLRC will deploy to monitor all lottery activities in the country and provide an accurate figure of the worth and revenue generation, has not taken off yet.

     He noted: “it will be misleading to project and brandish unverified numbers in this regard. These baseless assertions distort reality and cast an unwarranted shadow on the NLRC’s unwavering commitment to transparency and fairness. Such misleading information demands decisive action to rectify the damaging narratives that threaten the very integrity of our industry.”

  • NLRC to stem money laundering, terrorist financing

    NLRC to stem money laundering, terrorist financing

    The National lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) is reviewing measures to ensure that Nigeria is not used as a conduit for international crimes.

      This is to prevent the risk of Money Laundering (ML) and Terrorist Financing (TF), threatening the economy and the country’s international standing, the Director- General, NLRC, Lanre Gbajabiamila said.

    Speaking on the sidelines at the venue of the international gaming conference in Lagos, yesterday, Gbajabiamila said the  Commission has introduced stringent measures to deter money laundering, financing of terrorism, and other predicate offences in the lottery industry to serve Nigeria and the industry better.

     He explained that while online games have become a popular pastime for every one, the evolution of the gaming industry, particularly its exposure to financial crimes, was rapidly increasing.

     He explained also that the rise of betting platforms have made it more appealing for criminals to use micro transactions to launder money.

     According to him, the anonymity of the system makes it an attractive option for money launderers to transfer money with relative ease.

     To this end, he said the commission was modernising the rules to make sure that all gambling, be it online or offline, is not used by people with illicit funds to push out money through the system.

     He said the commission is taking strong and decisive steps to increase public confidence in the lottery system by ensuring the reputation of operators and retailers through   rules of conduct for  Inspectors who test the integrity of the system.This is in addition to  working with the industry to adjudicate complaints and order redress when things go wrong.

    Read Also: NCC, NLRC inaugurate consumer protection committee

     He further explained that there was a process to deal with disputed consumer  claims between individuals and operators, adding that the Commission regulates  lottery and adjudicate hearings on it.

     According to him, the  gambling landscape has changed significantly with online gambling operators   providing  services which customers could engage with from almost anywhere and at any time.

     These   technologies, he noted,  increase risks to players and facilitate innovative protections.

     Principal Investigator, Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC-SEIGMA), Prof Rachel Volberg urged  NLRC to work with the industry to make online gambling safer and remove the features known to exacerbate risks, and put new obligations on operators to prevent unchecked and unaffordable spending.

     According to her, there is a need to raise awareness of the risks of gambling harm while helping to remove the fear of stigma that stops people coming forward for help.

  • NLRC pushes for effective VAT regime

    Law experts, tax specialists and other stakeholders met in Abuja on December 4 to examine the state of the nation’s Value Added Tax (VAT) law and suggested ways of reforming it for effectiveness. Eric Ikhilae reports.

    In the face of unstable oil earnings and growing demands on government’s resources, there is an urgent need for the government to explore other revenue sources, among which is the strengthening of its tax administration system.

    This position ran across all presentations, in Abuja on December 4, this year, at a national workshop held by the Nigerian Law Reform Commission (NLRC) to explore ways of reworking the nation’s extant Value Added Tax (VAT) law to bring it in tune with today’s reality, and for better operations.

    Speakers, including the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN); Chairman, NLRC, Kefas Magaji; Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, David Umaru; President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Paul Usoro (SAN) and Director General, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), Prof. Adedeji Adekunle, agreed that there was need to rework the existing VAT law.

    Malami stressed the importance of VAT in a country’s economic development, particularly as it relates to its capacity to influence the rate of accruable revenue and consumption. He said this accounts for why it was necessary to support efforts by the NLRC to reform the VAT Act.

    Represented by Pius Oteh, a director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Malami added that the decision to reform the VAT Act was in line with the Federal Government’s policy of strengthening the tax system in its bid to broaden the nation’s revenue base.

    He noted that the focus of the reform was to ensure a holistic review of the VAT Act to enable it function better, but not to effect an increase in what is currently being charged.

    Magaji noted that the extant VAT Act of 2007, which is an amendment of the original Act, which was introduced in 1993, but became operational in 1994, needs to be further reformed in view of identified inadequacies.

    Some of such shortcomings, he said, include the absence of adequate clarification on the VAT registration by non-resident entities in Section 10; lack of prescribed specific time frame within which a taxable person is required to respond to the Best of Judgement (BOJ) under Section 15 (1) of the Act; and absence of specific provision in the Act to address the refund procedure in Section 16 (1)(b).

    He noted that other inadequacies identified in the current law are: the absence proper definition of the terms “goods and services,” provided for in Section 2 of the Interpretation Section; the non-definition of the scope of what is meant by “basic food” as provided in the Schedule; and the inadequate definition of what is meant by the words “input VAT” and “output VAT.”

    According to Magaji, there is also the challenge of low rate of value of all taxable goods and services of tax being collected under Section 4 which results into low rate on luxury items e.g. cigarettes, jewelries, beer, cars, planes (private), imported leather materials etc.; and the inadequate penalties provided in the Act.

    Magaji said the reform exercise being undertaken by his agency is to “clarify, simplify and improve on the provisions of the Act.” He added that the reforms proposed by the NLRC warrant serious considerations “if taxes are to be collected efficiently and fairly, both in monetary and equitable terms, for the benefit of all Nigerians.

    “This reform exercise is intended to bring the provisions of the Act in conformity with global standard and reposition the country to attain its full potentials in the collection of taxes to boost the country’s revenue base and build a solid economic structure.

    “During this reform exercise, obstacles to the full and effective implementation of the Act were identified and corrections proposed. It is expected that this reform will help to strengthen the VAT administration system,” Magaji said.

    Umaru, Usoro and Adekunle hailed the initiative by the NLRC and promised their support to ensure the success of the reform exercise.

    Umaru said NLRC’s decision to reform the VAT Act was timely and needed to be supported by all stakeholders. He assured that the National Assembly, particularly the Senate will lend its support to the success of the exercise

    Adekunle (represented by Dr. (Mrs.) Francesca Nlerum) said the reform of the Act is a worthy cause. He expressed the hope that the exercise will result in the creation of a better law that will help generate more revenue for the benefit of the citizenry and national development.

     

     

  • EFCC: Stakeholders defer on seven percent IGR retention, autonomous FIU

    EFCC: Stakeholders defer on seven percent IGR retention, autonomous FIU

    The Nigerian Law Reform Commission (NLRC) has kicked against the retention of seven percent of recovered assets or internally generated revenue (IGR) by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
    The NLRC also disapproved of a Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) responsible to the EFCC, stating that an independent FIU devoid of the anti-graft agency’s supervision would serve the country better.
    The agency, as well as the Governors’ Forum, wanted the FIU domiciled within the EFCC despite the suspension of the country from the Egmont group due to interference from the anti-graft agency.
    Speaking at a public hearing on three bills on the amendment of EFCC Act on Tuesday, a Commissioner at the NLRC, Prof. Jumai Audi said the retention of seven percent from recovered property or income generated by the EFCC is unethical and capable of encouraging corruption within the agency.
    She said the anti-graft agency does not need additional fund to carry out its activities and should not be indulge with finds it does not need by government.
    She said: “EFCC does not need additional funding and does not need to retain any money or property they recovered. Their statutory allocating is enough.
    “Asking it to retain seven percent of its IGR or recovered property is morally wrong and illegal. EFCC can ask for supplementary budget if there is a need for it.
    “EFCC is not an income generating agency and it’s workers are duty bound to carry out their duties. If they are indulged with funds they don’t need, there is every likelihood that the workers will go in strike one day if they feel agerieved due to issue of funding”.
    On the independence of FIU, Audi said it was the undue interference from EFCC that led to the country’s suspension from the Egmont group.
    As a result, the NLRC opined that the unit should be separated from the EFCC and given the necessary support required to be effective.
    “We recommend the establishment of NFIU as an independent and autonomous body separate from EFCC rather than as a unit domiciled in EFCC as proposed in the bills.
    “Nigeria was suspended from the Egmont group for lack of autonomy in the real sense of the NFIU and this position has not been addressed.
    “The Egmont group requires that the FIU be independent and autonomous to guarantee its effectiveness in countering terrorist financing, money laundering and fighting corruption,” she added.
    However, the EFCC insisted that an autonomous FIU will not serve the purpose it was meant for.
    EFCC Secretary, Adegboyega Aremo said the FIU must be protected from politicians and the EFCC offers the most effective window to achieve that.
    “If you leave it to survive alone it will be endangered and exposed to danger.
    “In the entire universe only three tiny countries have autonomous FIUs and what Egmont group wants is for it to have autonomy within the EFCC,” he said.
    The Director General of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Ashishana Okauru aligned with the position of the House and the agency.
    Okauru, who was the first head of the unit at inception said, “As a foundation member of EFCC, I know what the Egmont group wants and it is autonomy within the EFCC.
    “It’s baffling that 10 years after we were registered by Egmont group we’ve been suspended and we stand to lose more if we are finally expelled from the group.
    “From Nigeria we may not be able to make scholarship payments and card monies may not be honored if we are finally expelled.
    “This is a subject we should dispense quickly because I remember that almost every agency opposed it when it first began.
    “I align with the position of the Committee, the FIU should be domiciled within the EFCC”.
    The Kayode Oladele – led Committee on Financial Crimes however noted that the retention of certain percentage of IGR is not new to government agencies.
    Saying that the case of EFCC should not be an exception, Oladele said the seven percent fund would not encourage corruption but enhance the execution of the primary duties of the anti-graft agency.
    He sais: “There is nothing strange for agencies to retain part of their igr to execute their mandates and we don’t think EFCC should be an exception.
    “Funding for anti-graft agencies is not an issue for now because we have a government that has the political will to fight corruption and that is why it is empowering them but what happens if a government that is not too keen on fighting corruption is in power?
    “This extra funding will not encourage corruption but encourage them to do more, just like this whistle blower policy that is now giving Nigerians the impetus to come forward.
    “Meanwhile, if it is agreed that the extra funding is not necessary then the House has no option than to remove it based on stakeholders decision”.
    On the need to amemd the EFCC Act, Oladele said most transactions now takes place on electronic platforms and place additional pressure on our anti-corruption agencies in understanding and smashing the sophisticated networks of unscrupulous elements in the society.
    “The House is conscious of the growing need of anti-graft agencies in a rapidly evolving information age.
    “It entails continous updating of their equipment and tools, regular re-training, as well as cross-border collaboration with other countries and bon-state entities.
    “It also entails that the operations of our anti-corruption agencies are in line with the rule of law and international best practices,” he added.
    Earlier while declaring the public hearing open, the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara explained why the exercise became imperative.
    Represented by the Deputy Whip, Pally Iriase, the Speaker  said, “No country can develop with the high level of corruption in Nigeria.
    “Despite various government efforts to enact laws to curb corruption it is fast threatening our culture in Nigeria but once these laws are passed it will clear some of these internal and external challenges”
  • FG can generate N360bn annually through lottery-NLRC

    FG can generate N360bn annually through lottery-NLRC

    The National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) has said that it can generate N360 billion for the Federal Government annually if 50 percent of Nigerian adults play lottery.

    The commission said the lottery sector if well developed and regulated has the potential to become the second revenue earner for the country after crude oil.

    Coordinator of NLRC, Kaduna zone, Alhaji Idris Mohammed Faruk (Jnr.), stated this at a press conference shortly before the commission’s sensitisation road walk in Kaduna yesterday.

    He said, “The constraint of the commission to generate such huge amount presently was because the lottery was not striving in Northern Nigeria due to the belief that lottery is gambling and a taboo.”

    According to him, “With the popular ‘Baba Ijebu’ lottery in the South-Western alone, the commission remits N500 million into the Lottery Trust Fund annually,” adding, “But unfortunately in the Northern part of the country, lottery is seen as a taboo. Lottery is not a taboo, but one which is globally accepted and played in the United States, United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirate and Morocco to mention just a few.”

    He also disclosed that the commission was making efforts to get religious leaders to desist from passing ‘Fatwah’ (preaching) on lottery, so as to show to the Northern Muslim populace that lottery is not ‘haram’.

     

  • Lottery commission okays banks’ promos

    The National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) has cleared the promotional campaigns of banks . The banks, it said, complied with the guidelines for the exercise.

    The banks are Sterling Bank Plc, Keystone Bank Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mainstreet Bank Limited, and Access Bank Plc, First City Monument Bank Plc, Unity Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Wema Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Unity Bank Plc, Skye Bank Plc and Ecobank Nigeria Plc.

    Speaking to The Nation, NLRC’s Assistant Director, Enforcement and Compliance, Mr Henry Uwadiae, said the commission took time to evaluate the promotional campaigns and found that they were not fake.

    He said the scrutiny followed allegations that banks are hiding under the cover of promos to deceive customers into opening accounts with them. He said investigations had shown that banks are complying with all-known regulatory requirements guiding promos.

    He said: “So far, no bank has flouted the rules of organisng lottery. We have not found any of the bank wanting. Therefore, the issue of placing embargo on the promotional campaigns of banks does not arise. The banks cannot be sanctioned because they have not committed any offence.  Punishments can only be applied when an operator is deemed to have committed offence relating to the launching of a promo.”

    He said the commission and the Consumer Protection Council are working together to ascertain the authenticity of the promos organised in various sectors of the economy. He said the commission liaises with the CPC to protect the interests of people, adding that the bodies are always at the venue of the promos to verify some facts.

    “At the venue of the promos organised by banks or any other operators in the economy, we ensure that our staff and those of consumer protection council know the true winners. Also, we make sure that the gifts are not fake. Besides, we get in touch with the winners to know whether they received their gifts or they are lost in transit.

    “Though no bank has been indicted for not complying with promotional rules, that does not mean banks cannot made mistake.  If we found out that a bank contravenes the rules, we would first disclaim the bank. This implies that we cannot guarantee the sincerity of the promos that was organised.  In serious cases, we seal off the premises of the bank. Based on this, the bank would not be allowed to open to customers. The aim is to instill discipline, and make offenders know that fake promos are criminal offence,” he said.

    He said promos among telecom operators have been a major source of concern to the commission, adding that banks have shown that they are reliable, committed and transparent in such areas.  He appealed to companies to follow due process when they are coming out with a promo, adding that that is the only way they can win the confidence of consumers.

  • Lottery board to sanction banks over fake promos

    The National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) will not hesitate to seal off the premises of any bank whose promotional campaigns are bogus or misleading.

    Other sanctions include issuing a public disclaimer and an order to stop the promo.

    The Assistant Director, Enforcement and Compliance, NLRC, Henry Uwadiae, said the sanctions were in line with the powers conferred on the commission as the sole regulator of all aspects of lottery in the country.

    He told The Nation that the lottery body would resort to such measures to protect consumers from being hoodwinked into patronising certain banking services and further maintain the integrity of the commission.

    He said the commission has been intimated with issues of fake presentation and claims prizes among various players in the economy, and would try as much as possible to protect consumers.

    He said: “The Lottery Commission regulates national lotteries including promos. What the banks are doing is under promo in which we have oversight functions. It is part of regulatory duties to investigate promos to see whether they are genuine or not.

    “For instance, a bank (name withheld) organised a promo sometimes ago. The bank stated in its promo that it is presenting 20 cars to the lucky winners, but we discovered that the information was not true. At the end of the day, the bank said it could not reach all the twenty winners in question. We were able to find out that the bank had three cars, instead of the twenty cars.

    “If a bank is doing a promo that is lottery in nature, it is the duty of the lottery commission to tell the bank to regularise it. If the bank fails to regularise the promo, there is no other thing the commission can do other than to stop the promo.”

    If any bank or company violates the law regarding the running of a promo, and it was discovered to be deliberate, the firm will be charged in accordance with the criminal code act, he stated.

    Uwadiae said the commission has taken it upon itself to monitor all activities relating to promotional campaigns, from beginning to the end, to ascertain their genuineness.

    “We give banks the permit to organise promos. Not only that, we take our men to the venue of the promo to witness it. We involve ourselves in the presentation of the prizes. Some institutions may not be able to present the prizes centrally due to their sizes and the volume of the promos they are running.

    “To ensure fairness and further prevent any form of sharp practices, “we ask the institution(s) to send the list of winners to us, and verify them to know whether they are genuine. Through this, we would be able to know the level of redemption of the prizes,” he said.