The Lagos State Government has clarified that the Federal High Court judgment in Abuja, which restricts the Directorate of Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) from halting and seizing vehicles, does not affect the operations of the VIO Lagos directorate.
On Tuesday in Lagos, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, provided this information in a statement.
Osiyemi highlighted the importance of understanding that, in legal contexts, a court’s territorial jurisdiction has limits, and in this case, the ruling was restricted to Abuja.
“ It is also important to know the rationale of the judgment of 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.
“This is with the penalties or fines that can be imposed for traffic violations as contained in the schedule of the law (violations-1-52).
“Therefore, the decision of the Federal High Court Abuja on VIO is inapplicable in Lagos State,” he said.
The commissioner called on motorists in Lagos State to comply with the law, follow the Transport Sector Reform Law, and demonstrate respect for the VIO.
