The Supreme Court, on Friday, struck down the National Lottery Act 2005, declaring it invalid for enforcement across states in Nigeria.
A seven-member panel of the court unanimously ruled that the National Assembly lacked the constitutional authority to legislate on matters related to lotteries and games of chance, except within the Federal Capital Territory, where it holds legislative jurisdiction.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Mohammed Idris stated that the exclusive power to regulate lotteries and games of chance resides with the state Houses of Assembly. The ruling affirms the states’ authority to legislate on such matters, limiting the scope of the National Lottery Act to the Federal Capital Territory.
