A Nigerian man who won €500,000 in an Italian lottery but was barred from collecting his winnings due to his undocumented status has finally been granted a residency permit, bringing relief after more than a decade of hardship.
Relief Beyond the Jackpot
Imagbe Ehizomwengie, 36, said the permit means more to him than the money. “I’ve been praying for this moment ever since I arrived in Italy. It’s a huge relief. You might think it’s incredible, but receiving the permit means more to me than winning the money. I want to work and contribute to society,” he said.
A Long Journey
Ehizomwengie bought a €5 Gratta e Vinci scratchcard last October with money from selling handkerchiefs and begging outside a Turin supermarket. He cried tears of joy upon discovering he had won, but his joy quickly turned to frustration due to his legal status.
He arrived in Italy in 2016 after a perilous Mediterranean crossing from Libya, where he had been held captive for two years and released only after a ransom was paid. His request for a “special protection” permit was rejected under Italy’s restrictive policies.
Claiming the Prize
Without a residency permit, Ehizomwengie could not open a bank account to receive the money. He entrusted a Nigerian friend with the winnings, but the friend took advantage of him. Eventually, the friend transferred about half of the post-tax winnings to Ehizomwengie’s cousin’s account, which was used to buy a shop called Mama Africa in Falconara.
His lawyer, Andrea Palazzeschi, pursued the case in an Ancona court, which this week ordered a residence permit be issued, citing Ehizomwengie’s Italian language skills, work at Mama Africa, and financial independence. “But it’s important to stress that Imagbe didn’t get the residence permit because he won the money, he got it because he proved to be a good candidate,” Palazzeschi said.
A New Beginning
Ehizomwengie plans to celebrate with a party in Falconara but remains grounded. “I want to work and intend to keep my feet firmly on the ground. I just want to live a normal life,” he said.
