₦airaland Forum

Lanretoye:
One charge and bail lawyer was instigating people to do otherwise in one viral video,you are on your ownit doesn’t matter to you that if you commit some traffic infractions like violation of traffic light in Lagos where there is camera with Abuja number plates,you don’t get fined.but you do the same with Lagos registration and immediately you will get your alert.
Go and try rubbish and let them catch you,I trust most of you always comport yourselves offline,na online you will come and be forming styles.
If you have more than one cars,carry one enter Lagos road then when Vio stop you make you assault them,let’s see what will happen

The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has faulted what it described as a “viral report of misrepresentation” of the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, which affirmed an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court on the powers of Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In a statement signed by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, on Sunday, the ministry said its attention was drawn to reports mischaracterising the appellate court’s decision, which upheld a ruling declaring the impounding or confiscation of vehicles and imposition of fines by VIO officials in the FCT illegal.

It recalled that Justice Evelyn Maha of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had held in 2025 that the respondents in the suit which included the Director of Road Transport; the Team Leader, the Area Commander Jabi; as well as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) “are not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound or confiscate vehicles and/or impose fines on motorists.”

It said that the court consequently restrained the VIO from carrying out such actions in Abuja.

According to the ministry, both courts based their decisions on the “absence of statutory power” conferred on the respondents under laws applicable in the FCT.

While acknowledging the validity of the rulings, the Lagos State Government stressed that “the judgment, though binding, is not of general application or of nationwide effect in Nigeria.”

It further clarified that “only parties to the suit and any state that has no statute on VIO, like FCT Abuja, are bound by the judgments,” noting that Nigeria operates a federal system of government with clearly defined legislative powers between federal and state authorities.

The statement emphasised that vehicle inspection and traffic management fall within residual matters for states and that Lagos has its own statutory framework regulating such activities.

It, therefore, advised members of the public “not to be misled by the misrepresentation of the judgments of both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal,” and to cooperate with VIS officers to avoid sanctions.

“The Lagos State Government will continue to ensure that all transport and traffic enforcement activities on Lagos roads are conducted strictly in accordance with the laws and Regulations, with civility, decorum, and respect to road users.

“Therefore, any motorist on Lagos roads who disobeys or assaults a VIS officer in Lagos State in the course of performance of his statutory duty will be subject to arrest and prosecution by this Ministry,” it added.

A former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has declared that President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms have delivered on key campaign promises, making it nearly impossible for opposition parties to unseat him in the 2027 presidential election.

Omokri, who spoke in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, noted the APC’s growing political dominance and Nigeria’s improving macroeconomic indicators as evidence of the president’s success.

He argued that the opposition’s chances are even slimmer now that the APC controls about 30 governorships, compared to 2023 when it had around 20.

“If the opposition could not defeat Tinubu with about 20 governors in 2023, how are they going to be able to defeat him right now with 30 governors?

“If the opposition could not defeat the president when he has not fulfilled his campaign promises, how can they defeat him when he has fulfilled his campaign promises?” Omokri, who was recently appointed ambassador-designate, asked.

He highlighted international endorsement of Tinubu’s policies, noting recent comments from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

“Just last week, we saw that the IMF were on air, saying that right now they go about from country to country telling them that if you want reforms that work, learn from Nigeria,” he said.

On the economic front, Omokri cited gains since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.

"By the time this president took office, our GDP was so low, we had gone from the first in Africa to about the fourth.

“Right now, we have the second-largest manufacturing capacity in Africa. We have added $67 billion to our GDP in two years,” he said.

Omokri argued that average Nigerians feel the positive impact of the president’s policies, claiming that “since Bola Tinubu became president, they (Nigerians) have never had to queue at the petrol station to get fuel. Fuel is readily available. Fuel is inexpensive.

“This is the first government that we’ve seen since the Yar’Adua government, where fuel has gone down in price multiple times. Not once, multiple times. So, in their pockets they are feeling it.

“Do not allow yourself to be moved by these people who go to the National Assembly to protest. Those are elites. They are trying to snatch power.

“The average Nigerian has seen his purchasing power increase. If you take 50 dollars right now in Nigeria, convert it to naira, what you buy from the markets you cannot buy in any West African country. Nigeria has significantly more purchasing power.”

The comments come amid preparations for the 2027 elections, where Tinubu’s incumbency and expanded APC control may shape the political landscape, as opposition parties consolidate efforts to challenge the ruling party.

Already, defections and realignments continue to bolster the ruling party in several states.