Safiu Kehinde
Abuja Federal High Court Restriction Verdict on Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) is not applicable to our directorate, Lagos state government says.
Reacting to the Federal High Court judgment in Abuja barring the Directorate of Vehicle Inspection Services (otherwise known as VIO) from further stopping vehicles on the road, impounding or confiscating vehicles, and imposing fines on motorists, Lagos Commissioner of Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, has clarified that the verdict does not extend to the state’s VIO.
Osiyemi, in a statement issued on Tuesday, maintained that that verdict is only restricted to Abuja.
He said Lagos VIO is under the state’s Transport Sector Reform law which dictates the duties and power of the agency.
Osiyemi urged motorists to adhere to the state’s transportation law and order.
The statement read in part; “Following the Federal High Court judgment in Abuja barring the Directorate of Vehicle Inspection Services (otherwise known as VIO) from further stopping vehicles on the road, impounding or confiscating vehicles, and imposing fines on motorists and whether the VIO in Lagos State or that of other States would be affected by the decision;
“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.
“It is also important to know the rationale of them 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.
“Motorists in Lagos State are advised to continue to be law abiding, uphold the TSRL, and respect the VIO.”