FALCONARA — Imagbe Ehizomwengie, a 36-year-old Nigerian citizen, was granted a residency permit by an Ancona court in 2024 after previously winning €500,000 on a Gratta e Vinci scratchcard in October. Ehizomwengie arrived in Italy in 2016 after crossing the Mediterranean Sea from Libya.

Before his arrival in Italy, he had been detained in Libya for two years until a ransom payment secured his release. While in Italy, Ehizomwengie's application for a special protection residency permit was rejected. The Italian government restricted this permit category in 2023. Prior to winning the lottery, he sold handkerchiefs outside a supermarket in Turin while undocumented.

Ehizomwengie purchased a €5 Gratta e Vinci scratchcard in October. Due to his lack of a residency permit, he was ineligible to open a bank account to receive the funds. An acquaintance transferred approximately half of the post-tax winnings to a bank account belonging to Ehizomwengie's cousin. These transferred funds were later used to purchase a shop named Mama Africa in Falconara.

Lawyer Andrea Palazzeschi represented Ehizomwengie in the subsequent court proceedings in Ancona. The court ordered the issuance of a residency permit to Ehizomwengie. The ruling cited Ehizomwengie's Italian language proficiency, his employment at the shop, and his established financial independence as key factors in the decision.

"I've been praying for this moment ever since I arrived in Italy. It's a huge relief." Ehizomwengie said.

"I want to work and intend to keep my feet firmly on the ground. I just want to live a normal life." Ehizomwengie said. Palazzeschi clarified the basis of the court's decision. "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.