Newsroom Exclusive: Inside NairaBET’s “refusal” to pay Lagos winner N11 million “jackpot”

Two weeks ago, Emore Voke, won N11 million predicting the outcome of football matches at a NairaBet shop.

Voke said he’s yet to receive the life-changing money despite having a one-on-one meeting with NairaBet CEO Akin Alabi in Lagos. Alabi confirmed the meeting took place.

Newsroom has heard Voke’s side of the story, and have spoken with NairaBET on why the payment is being delayed. Scroll down to listen to exclusive phone chat we had with NairaBET.

Voke’s claims

https://twitter.com/Cindymonel/status/838668553414930433

In the face of NairaBet’s apparent refusal to pay the huge sum, Voke and his friends took the matter to “Twitter court”.

They are also planning to drag the Nigerian firm to an actual court of law. Alabi said Voke, if he takes the matter to court, will not receive the payout till the case is determined.

The matter was made public by Twitter user @Cindymonel who happens to be Voke’s friend. Alabi responded to the accusations when @Cindymonel and Voke tagged him in their tweets.

Many urge Voke to sue NairaBET and claim damages. One even offered free legal services.

Others told Nigerians to boycott NairaBET as the firm has allegedly been refusing to pay huge winners raising fears the firm could be broke.

NairaBET responds

“We are not broke,” Joseph, who spoke on behalf of the firm, told Newsroom on Tuesday.

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“But I must inform you that you cannot publish this story without our approval,” he told our correspondent who told him to “calm down and tell me what’s happening with NairaBET”.

After that, Joseph began explaining why Voke hasn’t been paid.

LISTEN: “You must NOT publish this story,” NairaBET tells Newsroom

“We are investigating the matter because 11 million is a lot of money. He (Voke) played from an offline shop. We have to investigate the activities in that shop in case there was fraud regarding the win. It is company policy.

“Offline customers who win N1 million and above cannot be paid at the shop where they placed their bets. They would have to come to our head office and such cases may be investigated.

“We are aware of Voke’s case and we can assure you he will be paid pending the outcome of our investigation.

“I’m aware he’s been told to come to our office today or tomorrow to find out the next step he should take,” he said.