FCCPC seeks to join suit by Western Lotto against regulator, 23 other firms

*Commission expresses concerns over certain clauses in mutual agreement execution between plaintiff and 1st defendant

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sought to be joined in a lawsuit in connection with lottery operations in the country.

Mr. Babatunde Irukera, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Commission, told Presiding Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, in Lagos, Tuesday, July 21, 2020, that it had filed an application to join the suit filed by Western Lotto Limited against National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Registrar of Trademarks, Premier Lotto Limited and 22 other rival lotto operators.

Channels TV reports Mr. Irukera stated that the FCCPC has concerns about certain clauses in the mutual agreement executed between the Plaintiff, Western Lotto Ltd and the 1st Defendant, National Lottery Regulatory Commission.

It was learnt that Western Lotto is seeking to discontinue the suit against the third defendant, Premier Lotto Limited and 22 other rival lotto firms in the industry.

In the lawsuit, Western Lotto Limited, belonging to Buruji Kashamu, a businessman and politician, is alleging infringement on its licence on “Ghana Games” by the rival lotto firms, one of which is Premier Lotto Limited, popularly known as Baba Ijebu Gaming Limited, belonging to Chief Keshington Adebutu.

Report, however, indicates that following the draft of Terms of Agreement between Western Lotto Limited and the lottery regulators, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Registrar of Trademarks who are listed as the first and second defendant in the suit, the plaintiff through its lawyer Ajibola Oluyede sought to discontinue the proceedings against the 22 rival Lotto firms.

The rival Lotto firms who are listed as the 3rd to the 25th defendants have, nonetheless, resisted the move to discontinue the proceedings and are instead, asking the court to hear and consider first, some pending applications which they have filed in respect of the suit, report stated.

Justice Aneke later adjourned the case till Thursday, July 23 when he will rule on which of the pending applications the court will hear first.