The Supreme Court has declared the National Lottery Act 2005 invalid, limiting its enforcement to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In a unanimous judgment on Friday, the seven-member panel ruled that the National Assembly lacked the authority to legislate on matters concerning lottery and games of chance.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Mohammed Idris stated that the National Lottery Act 2005 should no longer be enforced in all states, except the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The court affirmed that only state Houses of Assembly have exclusive jurisdiction over lottery and games of chance.
The case originated from a suit filed in 2008 by Lagos State and other states, challenging the National Assembly’s powers to regulate such matters.
This landmark decision reinforces states’ rights over issues constitutionally reserved for them.
