Supreme Court Nullifies National Lottery Act, Confirms States’ Exclusive Powers

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has nullified the National Lottery Act 2005, ruling that the National Assembly lacks the constitutional authority to legislate on matters relating to lottery and games of chance.

The unanimous decision by a seven-member panel was delivered on Friday, with Justice Mohammed Idris reading the lead judgment.

The ruling stems from a suit filed in 2008 by Lagos State and several other states, challenging the validity of the National Lottery Act.

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The Supreme Court held that powers to legislate on lotteries and games of chance reside exclusively with state Houses of Assembly, not the National Assembly.

“The National Assembly does not have the constitutional jurisdiction to legislate on issues pertaining to lottery and games of chance. Such powers are within the exclusive jurisdiction of state legislatures,” the court ruled.

The court further declared that the National Lottery Act 2005 shall no longer be enforced in any state, with its jurisdiction limited only to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).