Federal Government has filed a criminal charges of running a fake lottery promo against Glaxosmithkline Consumer Nigeria Plc and Nestle Nigeria Plc and their officials.
The 10-count criminal charge number FHC/L/478C/15 was filed before a Federal High Court in Lagos, southwest Nigeria, by the Police Legal Officer from Force Criminal Investigation Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
In the charge, it was stated that Dayanand Thandalam Siram, Jonathan Murray, Uche Uwechia, Glaxosmithkline Consumer Nigeria Plc and others now at large between October 2014 and October 2015, induced the citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in order to confer benefit on themselves.
They allegedly did this by entering into the contract of buying a product titled ‘Lucozade And Ribena Big Cash Give Away’ upon promise that the participants will win a prize.
The accused same time and period were also alleged to have indicated that the premises of GSK House, 1, Industrial Avenue, Ilupeju, Lagos, as a place for the purpose of lottery to be used for the purposes of obtaining by false pretence from the Nigerian populace.
The offence alleged to have been committed by Glaxosmithkline Consumer Nigeria Plc and its officials are contrary to and punishable under section (1)3 of the advance fee fraud and other related offences Act laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
It was also alleged that Rahul Culaco, Omolara Banjoko, Adebayo Elegbe, Shelewa Ashimi, Friesland Campina Wamco Nigeria Plc. same time and place used the premises of their company for the purpose of obtaining by false pretence from the Nigerian populace.
The case has been adjourned till next March when all the accused and their company will be arraigned before the court.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, but similar circumstances, the Federal Government has filed another 10-count criminal charge of sponsoring fake promo against Nestle Nigeria Plc and two of its officials.
In the said criminal charge number FHC/ L/477C/15, it was alleged that Gord Hon, Beebee Ayeku, Nestle Nigeria Plc between October 2014 and October 215, induced citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to confer benefit on themselves by entering into contract of buying a product by way of advance payment in the guise of lottery captioned ‘Year-End Shoppers bag Promo’ upon the promise that the participants will win a prize.
Nestle Nigeria Plc and its accused officials were also alleged to have identified 22/24, Industrial Avenue, Ilupeju, Lagos, as a place for the purpose of lottery to be used for obtaining by false pretence from the Nigerian populace
The offence alleged to have been committed by Nestle Nigeria Plc and its officials are contrary to and punishable under section 3 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related offences.
In a verifying affidavit sworn to by a Deputy Superintendent of Police, Gyu Musa, attached to the Police Enforcement Unit team of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Abuja, averred that investigation in respect of the case has been concluded and all major documentary exhibits required for the prosecution of the case have been obtained.
He said except for the arrest of certain persons, a prima facie case of obtaing by false pretence and lottery offences have been established against the accused persons.
Posted by Janice Johnson (Source: PM News)
