The Supreme Court has nullified the National Lottery Act, 2005, declaring it unconstitutional. Delivering a unanimous judgment on Friday, the apex court ruled that the National Assembly lacked the authority to legislate on lottery and games of chance, emphasizing that such matters fall exclusively under the jurisdiction of state Houses of Assembly.
In the lead judgment, Justice Mohammed Idris clarified that the National Lottery Act could only apply within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where the National Assembly has legislative authority. Beyond the FCT, the Act is no longer enforceable across the states.
The verdict reinforced the states' exclusive rights to regulate lottery and related activities within their territories, a significant affirmation of federalism and the autonomy of state legislatures in Nigeria.
The ruling stems from a 2008 suit filed by Lagos State and others, challenging the National Assembly's powers to legislate on such matters. The judgment is expected to reshape the regulatory framework for lottery and gaming in Nigeria.
