Suspend DG National Lottery Regulatory Commission CSO Tells Buhari

By Bukola Kayode

A Civil Society Organisation, Action for Justice and Transparency against Corrupt Practices (AJTAC) has called for the immediate suspension of the Director General of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila over alleged misappropriation of funds belonging to the agency.

Chairman of the NGO, Mr. Felix Nwankwo, also called for a thorough investigation into the running of the commission, especially its finances.

He decried the fact that despite the decade long existence of the agency and an estimated N10 billion generated, the performance of the commission remains unimpressive.

Nwankwo noted that when the current D-G failed to leave up to the promise that followed his appointed in 2015.

 “Lottery industry watchers would recall it was during his tenure as DG Lottery Board and the present Vice President then as Lagos State commissioner of Justice that they took the FG NLRC to court challenging FGs jurisdiction to collect statutory remittance due to government.

“On 9th August 2021, the social media and conventional news outlets were enmeshed with news of an alleged fraud in the National Lottery Regulatory Commission”.

“The reports alleged that the DG had conspired with some staff in the commission to transfer millions of naira from government coffers to individual account”.

“One of the media story revealed that these financial transactions were acknowledged by the DG’s personal media aid, who explained that they were intended to provide funds to patronize the National Assembly Committees that oversee the activities of the Commission.

“Detailed and specific accounts disclosed brazen deceit, financial fraud, and impunity on behalf of the Director-General. This report was contained in a petition to EFCC and the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs”, he stated.

Nwankwo recalled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invited over 20 staff of the Commission, mainly persons from the Finance and Account departments whose accounts were used to facilitate illicit transactions.

He wondered why the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs has failed to salvage the situation action, such as suspending the DG to allow for effective investigation, or even send a memo to the presidency making the recommendations.

“The Commission governing Board has met on Monday 13th September 2021 without any resolution bearing on these serious allegations against the DG. Their silence speaks volumes that they intend to sweep these allegations under the carpet.

“This is therefore a clarion call to Mr President to save the Lottery Industry that hold enormous potentials”.

He said, “Is it the acquisition of the long-awaited Central Monitoring System which secured twice high level government approval (CMS road map).

“This was first officially approved by the SGF and the 2nd approval by the Hon minister Senator George Akumeh upon assuming duty at the ministry but ignored by the DG.

“This was a process that was keenly pursued jointly by NLRC and NLTF having also secured all the necessary BPP and ICRC approvals.

“Now with a budget allocation of 3.5 billion naira with promises of further patronage to high-level friends and supporters, including an all-expense paid trip to the Italy.

“Is it the hidden but strong influence of DG’s brother, the speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.

“As it stands, no single person neither from the Ministry or the Commission has any idea on the ongoing procurement process for the CMS, so from every indication the DG lacks the moral integrity to deliver on the CMS for the benefit of Nigerians”.

According Nwankwo the DG’s continued presence at the Commission is a dent to President Muhmmadu Buhari’s war against corruption, saying, “notably, other government officials have been dismissed for far less allegations than the current allegations against the DG.

“Government must make another example of the DG to demonstrate its continued anti-corruption commitment to demonstrate that  NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.

“Since this regime came into power, its major stand point is its anti-corruption crusade, so why the cherry picking of his corruption victims and shielding corrupt officials in his administration.