In a significant legal decision, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has unanimously nullified the National Lottery Act of 2005, asserting that the National Assembly lacked the constitutional authority to legislate on matters concerning lotteries and games of chance. This ruling, delivered by a seven-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Idris, marks a pivotal moment in the interpretation of legislative powers within Nigeria's federal structure.
The court's judgment stems from a suit initiated in 2008 by the Lagos State government and several other states, challenging the constitutionality of the National Lottery Act. The Supreme Court determined that the powers to regulate lotteries and similar games reside exclusively with state Houses of Assembly, thereby invalidating the National Assembly's previous legislative actions in this domain.
Justice Idris emphasized that while the National Assembly is empowered to legislate for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), it does not hold similar authority over state matters related to lotteries. As a result, the court ordered that the National Lottery Act 2005 is no longer enforceable across all states, reaffirming the autonomy of state governments in regulating games of chance.
"This ruling reinforces the principle of federalism enshrined in our constitution," said Justice Idris during his delivery of the judgment. "It clarifies that states have exclusive jurisdiction over lotteries and games of chance, ensuring that local governments can make decisions that best serve their communities."
The implications of this ruling are profound for both state governments and private operators within the gaming industry. States will now have the opportunity to establish their own regulations regarding lotteries, potentially leading to diverse gaming frameworks across Nigeria.