Lagos rejects Abuja court ruling stopping VIO from impounding vehicles

The Lagos State Government has said the Federal High Court judgment in Abuja, which restricts the Directorate of Vehicle Inspection Services (VIO) from stopping, impounding, or fining motorists, does not apply to Lagos

According to a statement by the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the ruling issued by Justice Evelyn Maha is confined to Abuja due to territorial jurisdiction limits.

He said the judgment, part of the fundamental rights enforcement case FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023, highlighted that no law existed in Abuja empowering the VIO to perform such actions.

However, Osiyemi stated that in Lagos State, the Transport Sector Reform Law (TSRL) of 2018 governs the operations of the VIO.

He explained that Sections 11 to 22 of the TSRL outline the establishment, duties, and powers of the VIO, including the authority to impose penalties for traffic violations, as detailed in the law’s schedule.

Osiyemi emphasised that the Federal High Court’s decision, therefore, holds no bearing on Lagos State.

“Motorists are advised to comply with the TSRL and respect the authority of the VIO,” he said.