₦airaland Forum

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.

Antoeni:
Maybe Lagos Is Now a Country Of its Own,
With What The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, Has Said Will Result to Lawlessness in Lagos Between VIO And Motorist, We Will Start Settling issues By Fighting,

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

Antoeni:
if Your Neighbors, Your Family including your Kids Call You Stupid, Please Take it As a Compliment, They Could Have Said Worse.

Globad:
Hehehehehe

VIO is in Lagos and yet yellow commercial buses without indicator lights, brake lights, broken windscreens, missing side mirrors, smoky exhaust, etc are everywhere in Lagos. What of the interior of the buses: iron or plank seats, exposed engines, etc

The same decrepit buses also have a way of passing the annual vehicle inspection tests. Na wa

Na to dey flex muscle against private drivers dem sabi

What of their motor parks? Dirty and muddy.

What of parking on the roads and causing traffic? Who regulates these buses, Okadas and kekes who blocks junctions and drive against traffic and other reckless driving?

VIO? LASTMA? Police? FRSC? Agberos?

helinues:
People better learn how to obey traffick in Nigeria because the glorified abroad don't tolerate reckless driving or breaking the traffick rules

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

Antoeni:
Maybe Lagos Is Now a Country Of its Own,
With What The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, Has Said Will Result to Lawlessness in Lagos Between VIO And Motorist, We Will Start Settling issues By Fighting,

Antoeni:
https://www.channelstv.com/2026/02/15/motorist-on-lagos-road-who-disobeys-vis-officer-will-be-arrested-prosecuted-ministry-warns/

oyeraff:
One thing that baffled me more was that the VIO only concentrate on clean vehicles and not those taxis, that even carries 3 people in the front, no seat belt, no side mirror, some of then no head lamp.

cmikel:
Wat a funny stuff


It seems like the country laws is interpreted state by state court Law can work in Abuja but not in Lagos




.

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

ariesbull:
I know you don't have a car nor have ever bought a car

Lanretoye:
that one is not your concern,what I know is that if them born you well,carry your moto come assault VIO officer for Lagos road.the law that your savior knows that sent him to sokoto go deliver you too

Kharol1234:
Your data boys quite na only you they make mouth Mu-Mu.