Lagos State Attorney General sues National Assembly over central gaming law

The Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro, has condemned the National Assembly’s attempt to enact a Central Gaming Bill, describing it as a breach of the Constitution and the apex court’s order .

He said that Lagos has returned to court to commence contempt proceedings against the lawmakers. Pedro, who disclosed this yesterday during a press briefing to mark his second year in office, held in the Ministry of Justice, Alausa, said that one of the landmark wins under his tenure was Lagos’ decisive victory at the Supreme Court in the lottery case, where the court ruled that lotteries and games of chance fall under the powers of states, not the Federal Government.

He also stated that the state has recovered a sum of N1.5 billion in outstanding taxes from a commercial bank through enforcement actions taken by the ministry.

The AG said the recovery was part of broader efforts to strengthen fiscal governance. He explained that the establishment of Revenue Courts at both the High Court and Magistrate levels, alongside a dedicated Revenue Recovery Unit, had begun yielding results.

“Many companies have responded to our pre-action protocol notices and have started paying or made arrangements to pay for their outstanding liabilities,” Pedro said.

He warned tax defaulters to pay immediately now that the courts have resumed from vacation, stressing that the state would continue to recover funds lawfully to boost service delivery.

Pedro said the Ministry of Justice had been repositioned to deliver faster legal services, strengthen access to justice, and protect the rights of Lagosians.

He stressed that justice in Lagos “is not an abstract ideal but a living reality shaping governance, protecting rights, and driving inclusive economic growth.”