Supreme Court Nullifies National Lottery Act 2005, Grants States Exclusive Jurisdiction over Lotteries

On Friday, the Supreme Court annulled the National Lottery Act of 2005, which had been enacted by the National Assembly.

In a unanimous ruling, a seven-member panel of the Court determined that the National Lottery Act 2005 is no longer valid in any state, with the exception of the Federal Capital Territory, where the National Assembly is authorized to legislate.

Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Mohammed Idris stated that the National Assembly does not have the constitutional authority to legislate on matters related to lotteries and games of chance.

The Court emphasized that such legislative powers are solely vested in the state Houses of Assembly, which have exclusive jurisdiction over these matters.