NECA salutes the Ag. President, Professor Yemi Oshinbajo on his decline of assent to the National Loterry Bill

Ag. President Professor Yemi Oshinbajo

Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has commended the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo on his decision to decline assent to four bills amended by the National Assembly, especially the National Lottery (Amendment), Bill 2016 due to an ongoing court case against one of the Acts.

It would be recalled that the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) had in 2012 instituted a legal action against the excesses of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (in the suit: NECA & 1 Other vs. Attorney General of the Federation & 4 Others).

Speaking in Lagos, the Director General of NECA, Mr. Olusegun Oshinowo remarked that: “there is indeed a pending case at the Federal Court of Appeal on this subject matter. The rejected Bill was an attempt by some concerned parties to ambush the course of justice through amendments of the extant Act, an action that flies in the face of fair play and equity”.

According to Oshinowo, “the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) is aware of this development and all parties, as law abiding citizens, were expected to await the pronouncement of the court. Surprisingly, NLRC resorted to back hand tactics of sponsoring amendments to the Act before the determination of the suit”.

He stated further that “the Acting President, through his rejection of the National Lottery Bill, has displayed government’s belief in fairness and justice, and has affirmed unequivocally its belief in enterprise rights and those of ordinary Nigerians. These are hallmarks of good governance”

Oshinowo reiterated that this singular act of the Professor Yemi Osinbajo will shore up investors’ confidence in the economy.