Nigerian government sues FMCGs over fake lottery promo

Fast Moving and Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies - Nestle and Glaxosmithkline have found themselves on the wrong side of the law as the Federal government has sued both companies over alleged fake lottery promo.

According to Nigerian Communications Week, the ten count criminal charge number FHC/L/478C/15 was filed before a Federal high court in Lagos by the Police Legal Officer from Force Criminal Investigation Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

According to the charge, 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 Nigeria to buy their products using the gimmicry of “LUCOZADE AND RIBENA BIG CASH GIVE AWAY”.

The accused were also alleged to have established and kept the premises of GSK HOUSE 1,Industrial Avenue, Ilupeju, Lagos as a place to be used for the purposes of obtaining by false pretence from the Nigerian populace.

Said offences are punishable under section(1)3 of the advance fee fraud and other related offences Act laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

Also a similar charge FHC/ L/477C/15 was brought against Nestle alleging that GORD HON,BEEBEE AYEKU,NESTLE NIGERIA PLC between October 2014 and October 2015 induced citizens to buy their product in the guise of lottery captioned “YEAR -END SHOPPERS BAG PROMO.

Participants were assured of winning prizes.

An affidavit 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 has been concluded and all major documentary exhibits required for the prosecution of the case has been obtained, except the arrest of certain persons.

He added that the prima facie case of obtaining by false pretences and lottery offences have been established against the accused persons on record.