The Lagos State Government has clarified that the recent Federal High Court ruling in Abuja, which restricts the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) from stopping and impounding vehicles, does not affect the operations of the Lagos State VIO.
This was announced on Tuesday by Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, who stated that the Abuja court’s jurisdiction does not extend to Lagos.
Osiyemi explained that the ruling, issued by Justice Evelyn Maha in the Federal High Court, applies solely to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where there is no statutory backing for VIO to stop or impound vehicles.
“In Lagos State, the Transport Sector Reform Law (TSRL-2018) grants the VIO specific powers, under Part II, Sections 11-22, to enforce traffic regulations, including the authority to impose fines and penalties for violations,” Osiyemi stated.
News About Nigeria reported that the Abuja ruling, which has drawn public attention, was prompted by a lawsuit filed by human rights lawyer Abubakar Marshal, challenging the VIO’s authority in the FCT.
Justice Maha ruled in favour of Marshal, affirming that the VIO lacks legal grounds to stop, seize, or fine vehicles, and declared these actions to infringe on fundamental rights, such as freedom of movement and presumption of innocence.
The judgment restrains the VIO and associated entities in Abuja from these practices.
Osiyemi advised Lagos motorists to remain law-abiding, adhere to the Lagos Transport Sector Reform Law, and respect VIO regulations, noting that the Abuja judgement holds no impact on the statutory authority of the VIO in Lagos.
“It is also important to know the rationale of the judgement of Justice Evelyn Maha in the fundamental rights enforcement suit: FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023.
“The rationale is that there is no law that empowers the VIO in Abuja to stop, impound seize, or impose fines on motorists, whereas, in Lagos State, there is the Transport Sector Reform Law of Lagos State (TSRL-2018) which dictates; Part II, Section 11-22 of the law to the establishment, duties and power of VIO in the state.
“This is with the penalties or fines that can be imposed for traffic violations as contained in the schedule of the law (violations-1-52).
“Therefore, the decision of the Federal High Court Abuja on VIO is inapplicable in Lagos State,” he said.
