•Warns National Assembly Against Defying Supreme Court
The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), has issued a stern warning to the National Assembly, calling for the immediate suspension of the proposed Central Gaming Bill.
Pedro asserted that the Bill is unconstitutional and threatens Nigeria’s federal structure, as its enactment would directly contravene a subsisting Supreme Court judgment.
Speaking at a press briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, on Wednesday, the Attorney-General addressed the serious implications of the Supreme Court’s definitive ruling in Attorney-General of Lagos State & 22 others vs. Attorney-General of the Federation & others (SC/1/2008), delivered on October 13, 2024.
Pedro highlighted that the apex court clearly established that lotteries, betting, gaming, and other games of chance fall within the residual legislative powers of states, except for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“The National Assembly lacks the power to legislate on lotteries and gaming outside the FCT.
“The Supreme Court has nullified the National Lottery Act of 2005 and restrained the Federal Government from enforcing its provisions within any state,” Pedro stated.
He noted that the proposed Bill, which has passed the House of Representatives and awaits Senate concurrence, attempts to regulate gaming across the federation, thereby defying the binding judicial decision.
The Lagos AG stressed that the Supreme Court judgment is final and mandatory on all authorities under Sections 6(6)(b), 235, and 287 of the Constitution.
He cautioned that proceeding with the Bill would trigger a constitutional crisis, violate the Constitution, and undermine the rule of law.
Pedro also dismissed arguments that the Bill’s focus on online gaming somehow legitimises Federal regulation.
“Whether played across a counter or online, it remains a game of chance within a state,” he argued, stating that technology does not alter the constitutional classification of the activity.
He appealed to the Senate to reject the Bill, stressing that the integrity of the judiciary and the stability of Nigeria’s federal system are at stake.
#CentralGamingBill #NigerianFederalism #SupremeCourtRuling #LagosStateAG #ConstitutionalCrisis
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