Lagos Ministry of Justice clarifies VIS operations after Abuja VIO court ruling

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.