Supreme Court voids National Lottery Act
23 November 2024 |
2:13 am
The Supreme Court on Friday declared the National Lottery Act 2005 unconstitutional, ruling that its enactment by the National Assembly exceeded the federal legislature’s powers under the 1999 Constitution.
The Supreme Court on Friday declared the National Lottery Act 2005 unconstitutional, ruling that its enactment by the National Assembly exceeded the federal legislature’s powers under the 1999 Constitution.
In a unanimous decision, a seven-member panel of the Supreme Court held that the National Assembly lacks the authority to legislate on matters concerning lottery and games of chance.
Justice Mohammed Idris, who delivered the lead judgment, emphasised that such powers reside exclusively with state Houses of Assembly. The ruling arose from a suit, marked SC/1/2008, filed by the Lagos State government and several other states challenging the validity of the National Lottery Act.
The court resolved the two issues raised in the suit against the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and one other defendant.
Granting all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs, Justice Idris declared that the National Lottery Act would no longer apply in any state except the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where the National Assembly is constitutionally empowered to legislate.
The court affirmed that lottery and games of chance are not listed on the Exclusive Legislative List of the Constitution, which limits the National Assembly’s jurisdiction.
Justice Idris also noted that under Sections 4 (2) and (3) of the constitution, the National Assembly lacks the authority to regulate lottery nationwide.
Further, the court declared that lottery matters fall under the exclusive legislative competence of state assemblies, as outlined in Sections 4 (7) (a) and (c) and Part 2 of the Second Schedule to the Constitution.
The court nullified Sections 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 of the National Lottery Act, declaring them inconsistent with the constitution. An order was issued nullifying the entire Act and restraining the AGF, his agents, and any federal agencies from enforcing its provisions in the territories of the plaintiff states.
Justice Idris also issued a perpetual injunction preventing the AGF or any federal agency from implementing the Act in the plaintiff states. The panel, which included Justices Uwani Abba-Aji (presiding), Mohammed Lawal Garba, Emmanuel Agim, Simon Tsammani, Stephen Adah, and Jamilu Tukur, unanimously concurred with the lead judgment.No order as to costs was made in the matter.
Related
8 hours ago
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says prices of beans, eggs, bread, rice, and other food items witnessed significant price increases in October 2024. The NBS said this in its Selected Food Prices Watch report for October 2024 released in Abuja on Tuesday. The report said that the average price of 1kg of brown beans…
10 hours ago
Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello appeared at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged misappropriation of funds. Bello, accompanied by his legal team, arrived at the EFCC office in a black Hilux vehicle early Tuesday morning. This appearance follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that upheld the constitutionality of…
10 hours ago
The Conference of Ethnic Tribes and Minorities (COETAM) in Nigeria insists that without credible data, Nigeria's development would surely be hindered. Led by Comrade Patrick Ameh, the group, in a statement on Tuesday, stressed the urgent need for the government to conduct another national exercise to accommodate the sudden population explosion and correct the defects…
18 hours ago
Wema Bank has announced the top 10 finalists for Hackaholics 5.0, a youth and startup-focused hackathon.
20 hours ago
The Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr Zacch Adedeji, a seasoned Accountant and an accomplished public sector administrator, has been synonymous with tax collection.
1 day ago
The usage of the Contactless Passport Application System app will commence on the 1st of December, 2024. The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) announced this in an update it provided on its official X account on Sunday evening. "The Contactless Passport Application System app is now available on Google Play store as “NIS Mobile”," NIS announced.…
1 day ago
Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command have arrested a witch doctor and another suspect in connection with alleged armed robbery and kidnapping. The command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga
1 day ago
The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested a 33-year-old suspect, Yusuf Idris, for impersonating the state Commissioner of Police, Shehu Nadada Umar, and defrauding job seekers under false pretences.
1 day ago
The Akwa Ibom State government has launched an investigation into boarding facilities in secondary schools across the state following a viral video showing students being served unpalatable and innutritious meals at Presbyterian Senior Science College, Ididep.
1 day ago
The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has said the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) had approved three additional grades in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing quest, making it the fifth progress report since greylisting the country in February 2023.
×
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
0 Comments
We will review and take appropriate action.