A group, League of Patriots has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other anti-corruption agencies to launch a probe on the alleged diversion of funds, using “loyal” staff accounts by the Director General of National Lottery Regulatory Commission NLRC, Lanre Gbajiabiamila.

In a petitioned from the group signed by its National and Diaspora Conveners, Abdul Madaki and Williams Diokpa respectively, the group alleges that financial records obtained by them revealed that Lanre Gbajiamile uses trusted staff to rout out funds running into hundreds of millions.

The group further alleges that Lanre’s impunity peaked after his elder brother Femi Gbajiamila became the Speaker of the Federal House of Assembly. Part of the petition read:

“National Lottery Regulatory Commission, led by Mr. Lanre Gbajiabiamila has been perennially enmeshed in untamed corruption. These include diversion of public funds, routing out money to Senate and House Committee members in the National Assembly, and cooked-up expenses, including unapproved travelling allowances, using names of staff he trusts. 

While lottery has become a veritable platform for improved revenue for other nations, Nigeria lottery under Gbajiabiamila is currently being run as a one-man-show as records here reveals.  

“This fraudulent act peaked between 2019 and 2020 when Lanre boasted before every staff of the commission that he has become untouchable with the emergence of his brother as the Speaker, Federal House of Representatives.  It was learned that he appealed to the staff to play along with him, promising to ensure that they would be well compensated if they cover up all they know that have been happening in the commission. 

“For instance, the following staffs have received the under listed amount through their personal accounts which violates Federal Government financial laid down principles.  (For further details, please see the enclosed Expenses list of the commission)

S/NO	NAME OF STAFF	DEPT	AMOUNT PAID INTO HIS PERSONAL A/C
1.	Oviawe Edwin T.	Fin./Acc.	N58,891,900.00
2.	Tunde Ezomon	Fin./Acc.	N37,355,800.00
3.	Oluwatosin	Acc. Admin	N32,023,400.00
4.	Momoh Jimoh Abdumutalib	DFA Office	N25,705,200.00
5.	Hassana Audu	CPO	N25,734,800.00
6.	Fumilola Akinlami	Sec. To DFA	N21,833,800.00

The group further alleges that records revealed that the DG uses the names of other staff to mop up fund which he gives Senate Committee members, including the Senate Committee Chairman on sports.  (See attached expenditure sheet).

“Further investigation revealed that Mr. Kabir Abdullahi received the sum of N64,000,000 in cash on 23^rd and 24^th October, 2019 which they claimed was used to acquire computer consumables, without board’s approval nor public bidding in line with public procurements standards.

The group further asked the anti-corruption agencies to investigate Lanre Gbajiabiamile and bring him to book if found culpable of the allegations of criminal diversion of public funds.