By Chinonso Alozie

OWERRI—THE Imo State House of Assembly, yesterday, moved against pools betting operators in the state, on alleged fraud and exploitation of the people of the state.

The allegation was brought before the House by Israel Nnataraonye, representing Mbaitoli state constituency.

House of Representatives

However, as a result of this development, the Assembly which was presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Ugonna Ozuruigbo, set up an adhoc committee to interface with the pools operators  to exonerate themselves from the allegations levelled against them.

The adhoc committee has as  its chairman, Mr Nnataraonye, who was the lawmaker that brought the motion. The deputy speaker also gave the adhoc committee 1st June, 2017 to summit its report.

Earlier in his argument, Nnataraonye said: ”Mr Speaker, I want to bring to your attention the diversion of  Imo state IGR by these pools-betting owners  who are making more money than telecommunication companies.”

He also alleged that “they use their businesses to exploit and defraud people and their victims have continued to cry out. They have also refused to comply with the rules  regulating pools-betting in the state.”