We Hold Your Brief
Dear Counsel, This warrants your urgent attention. Everyone knows the economic situation in the country, and we have all been striving hard to survive the hardship. Sometimes, some government agencies are just unreasonable in the way they go about their duties.
I operate a lotto machine on behalf of my step-mother, where I sell lottery tickets. We are mainly patronised by low income earners around Apapa and its environs. I have been doing this without any problem, for the past two years. But recently, some officials who claim to represent Lagos State Government, came and seized my machine. They now require us to come and pay heavy levies and fines to have our machines released. Their complaint is that, we did not pay tax. My step-mother insists that for every lotto ticket bought, the government collects a stipulated amount as tax.
The whole thing is so confusing. Kindly, clear the air on this. I wanted to come to your office to present this complaint personally, but someone advised that I should send an e mail. Thanks. Godson Ogbemi, Apapa. Dear Mr. Ogbemi, I have taken time to study the law governing lotteries and lotto in Lagos State, and I can tell you in clear terms what the provisions are.
I believe you are not well informed, about what is expected of operators of lotto and lottery services in Lagos State. One of the most fundamental provisions is that, anyone who desires to operate lottery in the State must first be licensed. I have no doubt that if the organisation you represent is officially licensed to operate a lottery, you wouldn’t be subjected to such harassment by law enforcement agents.
The law provides thus “No person, individual, corporate organisation etc, shall operate a lottery in Lagos State unless it has been issued a licence under the Lagos State Lottery Law 2004”.
“Any retailer, distributor, shop keeper, independent contractor or agent, by any name whatsoever that has intention to sell and does sell lottery tickets to the general public in Lagos State shall be guilty of a criminal offence under Section 240 of the Criminal Code Law Cap C. 17 Laws of Lagos State 2004.”
I advice that you urge your step-mother, to take the appropriate steps to fulfill this statutory requirement, to avoid further embarrassment.