The Supreme Court on Friday nullified the National Lottery Act 2005 enacted by the National Assembly.
A seven-member of the apex court in a unanimous judgment on the suit filed in 2008 by Lagos and some other states held that the National Assembly lacked the powers to legislate on issues relating to lottery and games of chance.
Specifically, the court held that such powers only resided with the state Houses of Assembly, which possess exclusive jurisdiction over lottery and games of chance.
In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Mohammed Idris, the apex court ordered that the National Lottery Act 2005 should no longer be enforced in all states, except the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in respect of which the National Assembly is empowered to make laws.
