LAGOS— The National Lottery Regulatory Commission has filed an appeal against a Federal High Court, Lagos judgment which held that the NLRC had no right to issue licences in spite of the Lottery Act.

In its appeal, the NLRC argued that the substantive matter is pending in the Federal High Court, Abuja, and the ruling by the Lagos court was based on a suit by shareholders of SET.

The Commission also argued that it had no dealings with the shareholders called Constance Shareholders Association of Nigeria that filed the suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The implication of the court ruling is that no other company will provide lottery services. It also implies that  telecom firms are operating lotteries illegally. The NLRC also awaits the verdict of the substantial suit from the Federal High Court, Abuja.