Lagos State Government Clarifies: FCT Court Ruling Banning VIO from Impounding Cars Does Not Apply Here

The Commissioner of Transport in Lagos State, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, has stated that the Federal High Court judgment banning the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIO) from stopping vehicles, impounding erring vehicles, and imposing fines does not apply in Lagos State.

Justice Evelyn Maha issued the order on October 3 in a judgment related to a fundamental rights enforcement suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023) filed by human rights activist and public interest attorney Abubakar Marshal.

The order also affects the Director of Road Transport, the Area Commander in Jabi, the Team Leader in Jabi, and the Minister of the FCT, who were listed as respondents.

In a statement released on October 9, the Commissioner clarified that the ruling does not impact VIO operations in Lagos State. His statement reads:

‘’Following the Federal High Court judgment in Abuja barring the Directorate of Vehicle Inspection Services (otherwise known as VIO) from further stopping vehicles on the road, impounding or confiscating vehicles, and imposing fines on motorists and whether the VIO in Lagos State or that of other States would be affected by the decision;

1. It is important to note and be informed that a Court has limits of its territorial jurisdiction, and in this case, the judgment is restricted to Abuja.

2. It is also important to know the rationale of the judgment of Hon. Justice Evelyn Maha in the fundamental rights enforcement suit: FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023. The rationale is that there is no law which 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, with the penalties or fines that can be imposed for traffic violations as contained in schedule of the law (violations-1-52)

3. Therefore the decision of the Federal High Court Abuja on VIO is inapplicable in Lagos State.

Motorists in Lagos State are advised to continue to be law-abiding, uphold the TSRL, and respect the VIO.