Ambassador Abayomi Nurain Mumuni, Chief Executive Officer of MorRich Lottery Limited, has formally appealed to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, for guidance following the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding the National Lottery Act.
In a letter made public on Sunday, Mumuni expressed concerns over the Supreme Court's unanimous decision that invalidated the National Lottery Act of 2005, a law enacted by the National Assembly. The ruling, which stemmed from a lawsuit filed by Lagos and other states in 2008, concluded that the National Assembly lacks the authority to legislate on matters concerning lotteries and games of chance.
As a prominent member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Mumuni's appeal reflects the anxiety shared among stakeholders in the gaming and lottery sectors. He emphasized that the interpretation and implementation of the Supreme Court's decision could pose significant economic challenges for legitimate operators in the industry.
In his letter titled "Request for Interpretation of Supreme Court Judgment on Nigeria National Lottery Commission Case," Mumuni warned that the ruling may inadvertently pave the way for unregulated and fraudulent gaming operators. He argued that such developments could weaken the integrity of the gaming sector and harm the broader economy.
Mumuni stated, "The gaming sector is a vital part of Nigeria's economy, contributing to job creation, revenue generation, and economic development. A clear understanding of this judgment is crucial to ensure that all stakeholders can operate within the legal framework without the fear of unintended consequences arising from ambiguities in the court’s decision."
He also lamented the Supreme Court's decision-making process, suggesting it overlooked the current socio-economic climate and the substantial investments made by stakeholders in the context of the Nigeria National Lottery licensing agreements.
Mumuni however urged Fagbemi's office to provide detailed clarification on the ruling, hoping that such guidance would bolster the protections for legitimate operators and uphold the integrity of Nigeria's gaming regulatory framework.
Mumuni expressed gratitude for Fagbemi's attention to this pressing issue and anticipated a prompt response.
