The Lagos State Government has clarified the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja on the operations of the Directorate of Vehicle Inspection Services (otherwise known as VIO), saying it doesn’t affect it.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi clarified the verdict of the Abuja court in a statement on Tuesday night.
Osiyemi gave some points to clarify the ruling of the court barring the VIO in Lagos State or that of other states from further stopping vehicles on the road, impounding or confiscating vehicles and imposing fines on motorists.
“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,” he said in a statement on X.
“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 has also advised motorists in Lagos State to continue to be law abiding, uphold the TSRL and respect the VIO.
