Etisalat Nigeria files defence over fraudulent promo lawsuit

According to HumanIPO, Etisalat has filed a defence in a lawsuit brought against it by Mr Pascal Ozioko, who is asking for NGN100 million (US$615,000) in damages after the operator allegedly misled its subscribers in a fraudulent lottery promotion.

The plaintiff filed the suit in July 2012, asking for the operator to be compelled to publish the names of winners in a lottery who Etisalat said would win NGD500,000 (US$3,000) daily.

According to the reports, Etisalat counsel Jero Daniels told the Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday the network was ready for its case, in which the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) is also a defendant.

The defence counsel said the defence statement was filed out of time, but she brought a motion to regularise it and deem it as properly filed and served. However, NLRC counsel Uduak Bhanani told the court her client had yet to enter an appearance in the suit and asked for more time to do so.

Justice Mohammed Yunusa subsequently adjourned the case to June 18, the report said.