The Lagos State Government has clarified that the recent judgement of the Court of Appeal in Abuja on the authority of Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) does not invalidate or restrict the operations of the agency in Lagos.
In a statement released on Monday, the state Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, said the government’s attention was drawn to what he described as “a viral report” that wrongly interpreted the ruling of the appellate court.
The Court of Appeal had upheld an earlier decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which ruled that officials of the Directorate of Road Transport (DRT) in the FCT do not have the legal authority to stop vehicles, impound them, or impose fines on motorists. The presiding judge, Evelyn Maha, consequently restrained the VIOs in Abuja from carrying out such actions, citing the absence of a legal framework granting them those powers.
Reacting to the development, Pedro said the judgement, though valid and binding, does not have nationwide applicability.
“The judgment though binding, is not of general application or of nationwide effect in Nigeria. That only parties to the suit and any state that has no statute on VIO, like FCT Abuja, are bound by the judgments,” the statement read.
He explained that Nigeria operates a federal system in which legislative powers are shared between the federal and state governments, noting that matters concerning vehicle inspection and traffic management fall under the residual powers of states.
According to him, Lagos State operates under a clearly defined legal framework through the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, which regulates the duties and powers of the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS).
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Pedro cited Section 12(1) of the law, which authorises the VIS to inspect vehicles for roadworthiness, conduct pre-registration checks, issue roadworthiness certificates, and collaborate with other agencies in enforcing traffic regulations. He also referred to Section 23(1), which outlines the penalties payable by offenders, either immediately through a mobile court or within 48 hours after a ticket is issued by an authorised officer.
He added that offenders who fail to pay within the stipulated time may be formally charged in a magistrate or mobile court, while still retaining the right to contest the ticket legally.
“The process and procedure of enforcement of power of the VIS officers on Lagos roads are in accordance with the law and not unlawful or unconstitutional,” he stated.
“Members of the public are therefore advised not to be misled by the misrepresentation of the judgements of both the federal high court and the Court of Appeal and to cooperate with Lagos State VIS officers on Lagos roads to avoid sanctions with its attendant consequences.”
The commissioner further assured residents that traffic enforcement activities in Lagos would continue to be carried out in line with the law, stressing that officers are expected to operate with “civility, decorum and respect” for motorists.
He warned that any driver who obstructs, assaults, or disobeys a VIS officer in the course of duty risks arrest and prosecution.