Lagos Govt: Abuja Court Ruling Limiting VIO Powers Not Nationwide — VIS Operations Remain Valid in State

 

The Lagos State Government has firmly stated that a recent Court of Appeal decision in Abuja restricting Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) activities does not extend beyond the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and has no nationwide impact.

The clarification comes amid widespread public confusion and viral claims suggesting the ruling invalidates vehicle enforcement nationwide. The appellate court upheld a 2025 Federal High Court judgment by Justice Evelyn Maha, which declared that VIO officials in Abuja lack legal authority to stop motorists, impound vehicles, or impose fines due to the absence of enabling statutes in the FCT.

In a detailed statement issued by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), the Lagos State Ministry of Justice emphasized that the decision is jurisdiction-specific.

“The judgment, though binding, is not of general application or of nationwide effect in Nigeria,” the statement read. “It is premised on the absence of statutory power conferred on VIO officials to carry out such actions on roads in FCT Abuja.”

The ministry highlighted Nigeria's federal system, where states retain powers over residual matters, including road traffic and vehicle inspection. Lagos State's Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) operates under the Transport Sector Reform Law 2018, which provides clear legal backing for enforcement activities, including stops, impoundments, and fines for traffic violations.

“Only parties to the suit and any state without a statute on VIO, like FCT Abuja, are bound by the judgments,” the statement added.

The government expressed concern over misrepresentations of the ruling and warned that motorists in Lagos who defy VIS officers will face arrest and prosecution.

This development follows earlier similar clarifications from Lagos authorities in response to the initial High Court ruling, underscoring the distinction between federal territory operations and state-level frameworks.