Judgment Barring VIO From Stopping, Impounding Vehicles Not Applicable In Lagos – Commissioner

The Lagos State Government has stated that the recent Federal High Court judgment, which restricts the Directorate of Road Traffic Services—also known as the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO)—from stopping, impounding, or confiscating vehicles, and imposing fines on motorists, is not applicable in Lagos.

Last Wednesday, Justice Evelyn Maha issued a perpetual order in an Abuja Federal High Court. The judgment was in response to a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Abubakar Marshal, a human rights activist and public interest attorney.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, clarified that the ruling does not affect the VIO in Lagos. He emphasized that the judgment is limited to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and does not extend to Lagos State.

Osiyemi explained that the judgment was based on the absence of a law empowering the VIO in Abuja to stop, seize, or impose fines on motorists. He highlighted that, unlike Abuja, Lagos State has an existing law that defines the duties and powers of the VIO within its jurisdiction.

“In connection with 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,” he said.

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

“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)

“Therefore the decision of the Federal High Court Abuja on VIO is inapplicable in Lagos State,” Osiyemi added.

He advised motorists in Lagos to continue to be law abiding, uphold the TSRL, and respect the VIO.