Supreme Court Nullifies National Lottery Act Enforcement In All 36 States

The Supreme Court on Friday nullified the enforcement of the National Lottery Act 2005 across Nigeria’s 36 states.

In a unanimous decision delivered by Justice Mohammed Idris, the seven-member panel ruled that the National Assembly does not have the authority to legislate on matters related to lotteries and games of chance.

The court held that these issues fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of state Houses of Assembly.

Justice Idris further directed that the National Lottery Act 2005 should only be applied in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where the National Assembly has the authority to make laws.

The case originated in 2008 when the Attorney General of Lagos State filed a suit against the Federal Government, challenging control and regulation of the lottery and gaming sector.

Ekiti State later joined as a co-plaintiff following a court order issued on October 6, 2020. By November 15, 2022, attorneys general from 34 other states were added as defendants.

The plaintiffs argued that lottery regulation is not one of the 68 items listed in Part 1 of the Second Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, which grants the National Assembly exclusive legislative powers.

They sought a declaration that the National Assembly lacks the legal and constitutional authority to regulate lotteries in Nigeria.

KanyiDaily recalls that Supreme Court recently ruled on the case brought by the Federal Government against the 36 state governors regarding local government autonomy.