The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has dismissed what it described as widespread misinterpretation of a recent judgment by the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, clarifying that the ruling on the powers of Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) applies strictly to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and not to Lagos State.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), the ministry said its attention had been drawn to viral reports suggesting that the appellate court’s decision invalidated the enforcement powers of VIOs nationwide.
The ministry explained that the Court of Appeal upheld an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court delivered by Justice Evelyn Maha in 2025. In that judgment, the court held that certain officials in the FCT – including the Director of Road Transport, the Team Leader and Area Commander, Jabi, as well as the Minister of the FCT – lacked statutory authority to stop, impound, or confiscate vehicles, or to impose fines on motorists within Abuja.
According to the Lagos State Government, both courts based their decisions on the absence of any enabling statute granting such powers under laws applicable in the FCT.
Consequently, the Federal High Court restrained VIO officials in Abuja from carrying out vehicle impoundment, confiscation, and fine enforcement activities.
However, the ministry stressed that the ruling does not have nationwide application. It maintained that the judgment is binding only on the parties involved in the case and jurisdictions where no statutory framework exists to empower VIO operations.
“The judgment, though binding, is not of general application or of nationwide effect in Nigeria,” the statement noted, adding that Nigeria operates a federal system of government where legislative powers are clearly divided between federal and state authorities.
The ministry further argued that vehicle inspection and traffic management fall under residual matters within the legislative competence of states. It emphasized that Lagos State has established its own statutory framework governing traffic control and vehicle inspection services.
VIS in Lagos Has Legal Backing
Unlike the FCT, Lagos State has enabling provisions under its transport laws establishing the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) and clearly defining its enforcement powers, the ministry said.
It maintained that the enforcement processes and procedures adopted by VIS officers on Lagos roads are lawful and constitutionally grounded.
“The process and procedure of the enforcement of the power of the VIS officers on Lagos roads are in accordance with the law and not unlawful or unconstitutional,” the statement affirmed.
The government urged residents and motorists not to be misled by what it termed misrepresentations of the judgments of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.
It also advised road users to cooperate with VIS officials to avoid sanctions, reiterating its commitment to ensuring that traffic enforcement activities are carried out with civility, decorum, and respect for motorists.
The ministry warned that any motorist who disobeys or assaults a VIS officer in the lawful discharge of statutory duties in Lagos would face arrest and prosecution.
“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,” the statement concluded.