Multichoice’s penchant for defrauding Nigerians is not limited to charging exorbitant charges or repatriation of funds to its South African home base. Its brazen disregard for propriety, respect for the rule of law and sanctity of contracts has assumed new proportions, a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi was informed recently.

These revelations were exposed when two officials of Multichoice Nigeria Limited, its Managing Director Mr John Ugbe alongside the company were arraigned before Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos over allegations of fraudulent promo. The 22-count charge (no FHC/L/122C/14) centred on conspiracy, promotion of illegal lottery and using the premises of Multichoice Company, 1381 Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island Lagos for false pretenses.

The case was filed before the court by police prosecuting council from the Police Enforcement unit of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission Abuja. The attempt by the police to arrest the CEO, Mr. John Ugbe, was not successful as he absconded before they got to their offices, Justice Mohammed Idris was told. The Judge however demanded that he be arrested and brought before him at the next hearing coming up in October. The two individuals arrested were however granted a bail of N5m each.

The Charges include “That Multichoice Nigeria and two others including JOHN UGBE, BISI ANIMASHAUN, MARTIN MABUTHO who are now at large, between October 2013 and March 2014 at Lagos in the Lagos judicial division of the honourable court did induce one Mr. Emmanuel Igoche and other citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to confer benefit on you by entering into the contract of buying the product of MULTICHOICE NIGERIA LTD tagged RETURN TICKET TO 2014 GRAMMY AWARDS, by way of advance payment of your DSTV telecast monthly subscription upon the promise to the effect that the participants will win a prize of expense paid trip to the Grammy Award in the USA in a lottery which was never fulfilled and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section1(2) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act CAP ‘A6’ Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2006”.

Multichoice is not new to controversy. The erstwhile minister of Communications, Mr Frank Nweke Jnr, had earlier sought to see their end in Nigeria on account of fraudulent monopoly at the ‘expense of local businesses’.

A source close to the case who did not want her name mentioned as the case was in court, explained that this occurrence was not new. “It is a simple scheme; the defendants use very popular destinations like the United States to promote sales and then offer less attractive options afterwards”.

“Multichoice capitalizes on the fact that most Nigerians don’t have visas to the US. So they offer you South Africa after you have missed the Grammies. To be candid, most people are happy to accept it. After all, the other winner, Mr Mohammed Kamilu Babanmallam gleefully accepted the SA option with his wife. Multichoice has perfected this scheme and they have the Consumer Protection Council on their side. It is not really a big deal; it is just that this time, the National Lottery Commission was already upset with them for not paying the registration fees.” She added.

At the hearing of the matter, the prosecutor, Joseph Nwadike, explained to the Judge that the promo in itself was an illegality as it was not duly registered under the extant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Multichoice’s malfeasance plumbed new depths when, yet again, when it refused to honour its commitments to Mr. Igoche in spite of using him for extensive publicity.

Newsintels was unable to reach Mr Idoche as his numbers was not available in charge sheets sighted by correspondents in court. However, on speaking to Mr John Ugbe, the Managing Director/CEO of Multichoice who did not seem bothered by the developments, was more upset that our reporter contacted him “on a weekend that he was having a family time”. “Please send me text and my PR team will get back to you” he retorted. True to his word, one Mr. Jenkins, who introduced himself as an external consultant, did return the call and told Newsintels that they have tried to compensate Mr. Idoche with a trip to Dubai or South Africa but he declined. “The issue was that of visa” he explained spiritedly to the reporter.

An earlier story reported by Thisdaylive.com “For DSTV Promo Winners, an Awful Experience”, indicated that the complainant earlier wrote a petition titled “Multichoice 20th Anniversary Promo – Request for Multichoice to meet her obligations” to Mr John Ugbe, the Managing Director of Multichoice to express his displeasure to no avail. All relevant stakeholders including the Group CEO Multichoice, Mr Imitiaz Patal; Director General, Consumer Protection Council (CPC) Mrs Dupe Atoki; Verification consultant, Alexander Forbes Consulting, Mrs Ibiola Akinla; Head Lagos office, Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mr Tam Tamunokonbia; Marketing Manager GOtv, Mr Oludare Kafar and Consumer Insight Manager, Multichoice, Mrs. Busola Tejumola were in copy.

Mr. Joe Ekpe, Director General of National Lottery Regulatory Commission was also not prepared to comment on a case already in court. “The promo wasn’t commissioned by us and the so-called price was never received”, was all he offered.

However, the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge leading to Justice Idris granting them bail in the sum of N5 million each, with two sureties each in like sum. The court also ordered the accused to deposit their international passports with the court’s registry. The court has adjourned till after the court holidays for the trial of the accused persons to commence.

http://www.thestreamng.com/2014/08/06/multichoices-scheme-defrauding-nigerians-exposed-police-arrests-two-ceo-john-ugbe-run/?utm_source=Copy+of+Campaign+Created+2014%2F08%2F05%2C+2%3A12+PM&utm_campaign=thestreamng.com&utm_medium=email

Just wow .... And the scammers have a Nigerian accomplice.

Mr. Igoche took this very personal. I hope they learn and retract their steps. A nice one from the national lottery commission in prosecuting the case. I never knew they could prosecute cases within their jurisdiction. Multichoice should change from their fraudulent ways.

even some of their dummy agents scam pple

Good development.
Such will serve as a deterant to would- be scammers

Multi Choice is just a fraudulent enterprise...

Before they are left off the hook, let them share the proceeds.

psucc: Before they are left off the hook, let them share the proceeds.