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Lagos To File Contempt Charge Against National Assembly For Defying Supreme Court Ruling
Lagos State Government has approached Nigeria’s apex court, the Supreme Court, seeking leave to commence contempt proceedings against the National Assembly.
Daily Voice reports that Lagos accused the legislature of continued move to pass the Central Gaming Bill, despite a subsisting judgment of the apex court declaring such legislation unconstitutional.
In a motion filed on behalf of the Attorney-General of Lagos State by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Bode Olanipekun, the state is seeking the Supreme Court’s leave to initiate judgment enforcement proceedings through the issuance of Form 48—a legal step that precedes the commencement of committal or contempt proceedings.
Under Nigerian law, the issuance of Form 48 serves as a formal warning to any person or body in contempt of court, and failure to purge the contempt after its issuance may result in committal to prison.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the motion, Lagos State contended that the National Assembly’s ongoing work on the Central Gaming Bill directly contravenes the Supreme Court’s judgment in SC.1/2008 – Attorney-General of Lagos State & Ors. v. Attorney-General of the Federation & Ors., delivered on November 22, 2024.
The state argued that clauses 7 and 21–64 of the proposed Bill relate entirely to lottery and gaming — subjects which the Supreme Court had already ruled fall outside the legislative competence of the National Assembly.
It noted that these provisions effectively replicate those contained in the now-nullified National Lottery Act, which was struck down by the Supreme Court in the same 2024 judgment.
Lagos State further submitted that both the nullified National Lottery Act and the Central Gaming Bill define “lottery” and “online gaming” in identical terms — as any game, scheme, arrangement, system, plan, or promotional competition based on chance, skill and chance, or sporting outcomes, which requires a licence to operate.
The affidavit stressed that despite the apex court’s 2024 ruling invalidating the National Lottery Act, Clause 62 of the Central Gaming Bill introduces “savings provisions” intended to revalidate actions taken under the voided law, thereby amounting to a direct defiance of the Supreme Court’s authority.
Lagos also pointed out that since the Supreme Court delivered its judgment, neither the Exclusive nor Concurrent Legislative Lists under the Second Schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended) have been altered to include lottery or gaming — further confirming that the National Assembly has no power to legislate on the matter.
Daily Voice understands that the 2024 Supreme Court judgment had categorically held that lottery and gaming cannot be regulated by any Act of the National Assembly, as these subjects are not listed under the constitutional Legislative Lists.
The apex court rejected the National Assembly’s argument that its power derived from Item 62 of the Exclusive Legislative List, which covers “trade and commerce,” or that the electronic and interstate character of gaming brought it within federal jurisdiction.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has approved the payment of a 13th-month pension bonus to all pensioners in the state, as well as a one-off welfare support of N10,000 in November 2026.
Speaking at the Ibom Hall grounds in Uyo on Friday, during the presentation of a merit award by the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and an endorsement of his second-term bid, Eno said pensioners deserved to rest well after their meritorious service to the state.
Eno said he was particularly impressed by the pensioners’ sense of gratitude and assured them that the state government, under his leadership, would continue to prioritise the welfare of pensioners and elderly citizens.
He said, “This is indeed humbling to me. It shows that you are truly technocrats with a laudable sense of organisation. You may be retired but not tired. I celebrate and appreciate you greatly.
“I am now directing that N10,000 be added to the November 2026 pension payment of every pensioner in support of your welfare.”
He urged them to enrol in the state’s health insurance scheme, which he said was free for people aged 65 and above, to enable them to enjoy quality healthcare.
Eno recalled that he had promised to clear the backlog of gratuities, adding that N100bn had so far been paid from the accumulated N111bn owed since 2012. He assured the pensioners that the outstanding balance would be cleared before the end of his first term.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for making funds available to states, saying this had enabled him to fulfil his promise to clear the gratuity arrears.
Eno called on the pensioners to vote massively for Tinubu in the 2027 elections, saying this would ensure the continued availability of funds for the prompt payment of gratuities and pensions, as well as other welfare packages.
He also urged pensioners from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District to vote for the re-election of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Responding, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Mazi Godwin Ikechukwu Abumisi, commended Eno for what he described as his compassion and care for pensioners in the state.
Abumisi also praised Eno’s leadership and development efforts and urged pensioners across the state to support his second-term bid in 2027.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Pastor Sylvester Nkodo, thanked Eno for his leadership, saying his commitment to the welfare of elderly people and retired public servants was heartwarming.
“Governor Umo Eno is a true leader with the heart for humanity who deserves prayers and support from the people. I urge pensioners to support his administration,” he said.
The National Assembly has confirmed that 28 State Houses of Assembly have approved the proposed establishment of state police in Nigeria, paving the way for the constitutional amendment bill to be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
According to the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the 28 approvals exceed the two-thirds majority required under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, which translates to 24 states. The National Assembly can therefore proceed with the next stage of the process towards presidential assent.
The bill was forwarded to the 36 state assemblies on September 16, 2026, for consideration, with October 15 initially set as the deadline for them to communicate their decisions. Ogunlana, however, said his office would continue to receive and verify reports from the assemblies ahead of the bill’s transmission to Tinubu.
The 28 states that have approved the proposed establishment of state police are listed below:
Adamawa
Delta
Edo
Kwara
Nasarawa
Ogun
Osun
Oyo
Plateau
Rivers
Taraba
Zamfara
Enugu
Anambra
Imo
Ekiti
Kebbi
Akwa Ibom
Bayelsa
Benue
Cross River
Abia
Yobe
Kaduna
Lagos
Kano
Sokoto
Ebonyi
A new political prediction has emerged ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with a state-by-state electoral map showing the states former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi are projected to win.
The prediction, published by Statecraft, outlines the expected performance of the three major political figures across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to the prediction, Tinubu is projected to win 15 states and the FCT, Atiku is expected to secure nine states, while Obi is tipped to emerge victorious in 12 states.
The map, which uses orange, blue and white colours to distinguish the three presidential contenders, provides a breakdown of the states each candidate is projected to win.
States Tinubu Is Projected to Win
According to the prediction, Tinubu is expected to win.
The FCT is also included in Tinubu’s projected victories.
States Atiku Abubakar Is Projected to Win
The former vice president is projected to win nine states.
States Peter Obi Is Projected to Win
Meanwhile, Obi is projected to secure 12 states.
The breakdown suggests a competitive presidential contest, with the three political figures projected to command support across different regions of the country.
Interestingly, the prediction places Tinubu ahead with 15 states and the FCT, followed by Obi with 12 states and Atiku with nine states.
However, it is important to note that the map represents Statecraft’s political prediction and not an official election result, an opinion poll or a declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The actual outcome of the 2027 presidential election will be determined by voters when Nigerians head to the polls.
The prediction has also raised questions about the possible political realignments, regional voting patterns and factors that could shape the contest in 2027.
JUST IN: Nigerian Gov Approves 13th-Month Bonus
Full List: 28 States That Approved State Police
