Supreme Court Nullifies National Lottery Act, Says Law Exclusive to State Houses of Assembly

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Supreme Court on Friday, nullified the National Lottery Act enacted, 2005, passed by the National Assembly.

The apex court voided the Act while delivering judgement in a suit filed in 2008 by Lagos and some other states, challenging the powers of the federal government to regulate the issue of lottery and games of chance across the country.

A seven-member panel of the apex court, voided the legislation on the grounds that the National Assembly lacked powers to make laws relating to lottery and games of chance.

Justice Mohammed Idris, who delivered the unanimous judgement of the court specifically held that such powers belonged exclusively to the Houses of Assembly of the States of the federation.

Having so held Justice Idris then ordered that the National Lottery Act, 2005 be no longer enforced in all the states of the federation except the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), wherein the National Assembly has powers to make laws.

Details later.