Key facts
- Imagbe Ehizomwengie, a Nigerian man, won €500,000 on an Italian lottery scratchcard.
- He was unable to claim the winnings due to his undocumented status in Italy.
- Ehizomwengie arrived in Italy in 2016 after a perilous journey.
- His lawyer successfully argued for a residency permit based on his language skills, employment, and financial independence.
- The permit was granted despite previous rejections and restrictions on asylum seeker permits.
Imagbe Ehizomwengie, a 36-year-old Nigerian man, has been granted an Italian residency permit after winning €500,000 in a lottery but being unable to claim the prize due to his undocumented status. Ehizomwengie arrived in Italy in 2016, enduring a difficult journey that included two years of captivity in Libya. His initial request for a "special protection" permit was denied, a category of permit that was later restricted by the current government. To survive, he worked as a street seller and begged. He purchased the winning scratchcard with money earned from selling handkerchiefs and begging. Although he won the jackpot, his lack of a residency permit prevented him from opening a bank account to receive the funds. A portion of the post-tax winnings was eventually transferred to his cousin's account, enabling him to purchase a shop selling African produce. His lawyer, Andrea Palazzeschi, successfully argued in court for the permit, citing Ehizomwengie's proficiency in Italian, his employment at the shop, and his newfound financial independence. Palazzeschi emphasized that the permit was granted based on Ehizomwengie's suitability as a candidate, not solely on winning the money. Ehizomwengie expressed immense relief, stating the permit means more to him than the lottery winnings, and he wishes to work and contribute to society.