Lagos State Ministry of Justice has clarified that the recent Court of Appeal ruling in Abuja concerning the operations of Vehicle Inspection Officers, VIO, in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, does not affect the activities of the Lagos State Vehicle Inspection Service, VIS, on state roads.

In a statement signed by the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), the government expressed concern over what it described as misrepresentation of the appellate court’s decision.

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, had affirmed a Federal High Court judgment declaring certain VIO enforcement actions in the FCT unlawful.

The Ministry recalled that in 2025, Justice Evelyn Maha of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ruled in a fundamental rights enforcement suit that the respondents, including the Director of Road Transport, the Team Leader of Area Command Jabi, and the FCT Minister, lacked statutory authority to stop, impound, or confiscate vehicles or impose fines on motorists within the FCT. The appellate court upheld this decision.

According to Lagos State, the rulings were based on the absence of legal powers granted to VIOs in the FCT. However, the Ministry stressed that these judgments are jurisdiction-specific and do not apply nationwide.

“While legally binding on the parties involved and jurisdictions without enabling statutes, the ruling does not extend to states with statutory frameworks for vehicle inspection, such as Lagos,” the statement read.

Highlighting Nigeria’s federal system, the government noted that traffic management and vehicle inspection fall under residual powers for state governments. Lagos State, unlike the FCT, has a comprehensive statutory framework governing VIS under the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law.

Section 12(1) of the law empowers VIS officers to inspect vehicles, ensure roadworthiness, conduct pre-registration checks, issue Road Worthiness Certificates, and collaborate with other agencies on traffic enforcement. Section 23(1) outlines procedures for imposing fines, including on-the-spot payment by mobile courts or within 48 hours of receiving a ticket. Non-compliance may lead to formal charges before a Magistrate or Mobile Court, while motorists retain the right to contest fines in court.

The Ministry affirmed that VIS operations in Lagos fully comply with state law and are neither unlawful nor unconstitutional.

Motorists were urged to cooperate with VIS officers to avoid sanctions and warned that anyone who assaults or obstructs officers during statutory duties will face arrest and prosecution.

“The Lagos State Government remains committed to ensuring that traffic and transport enforcement is conducted with professionalism, civility, and respect for road users,” the statement added.

Suspected bandits have abducted the family of the Chief Imam of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), Abubakar Muhammad Digare, in Bauchi State.

The incident occurred on Saturday night, February 14, 2026 in Digare town, Gwana District, Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state,

Security analyst, Bakatsine, who disclosed this on Sunday said local sources stated that assailants invaded the Imam’s residence and forcibly abducted several people, including the Imam’s wives and daughters.

“Last night, suspected bandits launched a brazen nighttime attack in the residence of Imam Abubakar Muhammad Digare, Chief Imam of JIBWIS in Digare town, abducting several people, including his wives and daughters. The attackers reportedly stormed the home under the cover of darkness, forcefully taking multiple victims to an unknown destination,” Bakatsine wrote.

“The shocking incident has sent waves of fear through the local Muslim community and heightened concerns amid the worsening security crisis affecting many parts of the country. The attack occurred in Digare, a town in Gwana District, Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.”

An Area Court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State, has dissolved the marriage between a couple, Rashida Bashir and her husband, Bashir Adegboye, over the latter’s womanising attitude.

The presiding judge, Hammed Ajumonbi, in his ruling, said that the letter sent by the husband revealed that he agreed to divorce.

Ajumonbi, therefore, dissolved their marriage and ordered the petitioner to observe three months iddah period in accordance with Islamic rites.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the court granted custody of the two children from their marriage to the wife and ordered the husband to pay N20,000 monthly for the maintenance and feeding of their children.

The husband was also granted unrestricted access to the children whenever he wished, but at reasonable time.

Earlier, the petitioner had told the court that her husband was a womaniser and that he did not have any respect for her while dating other women.

Rashida said that she did not want to get infected with any disease from her husband, considering the rate at which he slept with other women

“He told me that he had two wives before I got married to him, but the most senior wife later told me that nine women had children for him,” she said.

“These women call me all the time to abuse and curse me. “I am tired of our relationship.”