The court also restrained the commission from issuing licences to any other person, pending the expiration of the exclusivity right granted Secure Electronics. Trial judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke, nullified all lottery licences issued by NLRC since its establishment.
The court held that the exclusivity licence granted to Secure Electronics Technology Plc by the Federal Government was still subsisting.
“All licences issued by National Lottery Regulatory Commission are invalid and nullified. The commission is restrained from issuing licences to any other person,” the court added.
Delivering judgment in the suit by Constant Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Shehu Malam Mikail, Oyetunde Olaitan, Sosanwo Sinai and Sonibare Waheed against the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, NLRC and Secure Electronic Technology Plc, the court noted that according to the exclusive right granted Secure Electronic by the Federal Government, the firm was entitled to exclusive rights on lottery licensing for 15 years beginning from December 19, 2001, to December 18, 2016, when it will expire and entitled to renewal.
