The Federal Government has filed criminal charges against Glaxosmithkline Nigeria PLC and Nestle Nigeria Plc and their officials, over alleged fake lottery promos.

The ten-count criminal charge number FHC/L/478C/15 was filed before a Federal High Court in Lagos, south west Nigeria, 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 gimmickry 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 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 is 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. at the 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 month when all the accused and their companies would be arraigned before the court.

In a separate development, Nigeria has filed another ten-count criminal charge of sponsoring fake promo against Nestle Nigeria Plc and two of its officials.

In the said criminal charge FHC/L/477C/15, it was alleged 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.

In an affidavit, 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 except the arrest of certain persons.

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

•Source: Nigeria Communications Week.