The Nigeria Employers' Consultative Association (NECA) has
expressed its shock and utter dismay at the gruff actions and jungle behaviour of
Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila, new D.G. of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission
(NLRC) in shutting down the offices and business premises of Nigeria Brewery
Plc across the nation.
Organised Businesses under the auspices of NECA had approached the
Courts in the case CA/A/207/2016, NECA & 1 or vs. AG Federation & 3
ors. The case is currently at the Federal Court of Appeal and parties in the
case had maintained status quo ante
since 2016. This was in obedience to the Court order which had restrained the
National Lottery Commission and /or its Agents from imposing/further imposing
its own interpretation of “promos” on
NECA’s members and/or from further harassing, intimidating and/or sealing-up
the offices of NECA’s members.
Speaking in Lagos, the Director General, Mr Olusegun Oshinowo, expressed
shock that the new helmsman at the NLRC, Mr Lanre Gbajabiamila, will go all out
to act in breach of the rule of law and utter contempt of court by shutting
down the offices and business premises of Nigeria Brewery Plc in a case that is
still before the Court of Appeal.
Oshinowo noted that “since 2016 when the case was filed in court,
the past leadership of the Commission had exercised restraint and due respect
for the law of the land”. He decried the resort to jungle behaviour by the
power drunk “public servant” in a civilized society where all hands are on deck
to boost the ailing economy of the nation. According to him, “It is unthinkable
that a Public Servant will rashly shut down business premises of a
multi-billion dollar investment without considering the dire implications on
the economy”
The Director General, NECA called on the Presidency and the
Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment to call Gbajabiamila to
order as his actions are not only illegal, unlawful and ultra vires the powers
conferred on him, but he is working at cross purpose against the laudable
efforts of the Federal Government in improving the Ease of Doing Business
(EODB) in Nigeria. “He should be called to order to avoid further damage to
business and the fragile economy at large”
NECA’s call on the Presidency and the Honourable Minister is
informed by government’s belief in fairness and justice, and its several
unequivocally affirmation of its belief in enterprise rights and those of
ordinary Nigerians. These are hallmarks of good governance which will shore up
investors’ confidence in the economy”
Oshinowo further hoped that “the
Commission’s leadership will depart from its new ways and manner of carrying
out its activities, which is totally
at variance with Democratic Ethos”. In the same vein, “Gbajabiamila should await the court’s
interpretation on the definition of promos which we believe is not the same as
lottery. This will enable the Commission operate within the limits guaranteed
by law and also promote the survival of Enterprises in the country, who are the
engine of growth in any economy.””
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