The Supreme Court of Nigeria has declared the National Lottery Act 2005 unconstitutional. In a unanimous ruling on Friday, a seven-member panel held that the National Assembly lacks the authority to legislate on lottery and games of chance, deeming it an exclusive jurisdiction of state Houses of Assembly.
Justice Mohammed Idris, who delivered the lead judgment, directed that the Act be enforced solely within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where the National Assembly has legislative powers.
The ruling follows a 2008 suit filed by Lagos State and other states challenging the federal government’s control over lottery activities within their jurisdictions.
This landmark decision reaffirms states’ autonomy in managing lotteries and games of chance within their borders.
Details to follow…
