Lagos clarifies legality of VIS operations on state roads

The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has clarified the legality of the operations of the Lagos State Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) following widespread misrepresentation of a recent judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on the powers of Vehicle Inspection Officers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, the viral reports wrongly suggested that the judgment, which affirmed an earlier decision of the Federal High Court Abuja, invalidated the activities of VIS officers nationwide, including in Lagos State.

He reiterated that in 2025, Justice Evelyn Maha of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a fundamental rights enforcement suit, held that the respondents in the case, including officials of the FCT, lacked statutory powers to stop, impound, or confiscate vehicles, or impose fines on motorists within the FCT. The court consequently restrained VIO officials in Abuja from carrying out such activities.

Pedro said that both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal based their decisions strictly on the absence of enabling statutory powers for VIO operations in the FCT.

He acknowledged that the judgments are valid and binding in law, but the Lagos State Government stressed that they are not of general or nationwide application.

According to him, only parties to the suit and jurisdictions without enabling statutes on vehicle inspection, such as the FCT, are bound by the judgments. It added that Nigeria operates a federal system of government, with residual matters such as vehicle inspection and traffic management falling within the legislative competence of state governments.

He noted that, unlike the FCT, Lagos State has clear statutory backing for VIS operations under the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law.

Under Section 12(1) of the law, the Lagos State Vehicle Inspection Service is empowered to inspect and regulate vehicle roadworthiness, conduct pre-registration inspections, issue roadworthiness certificates, and collaborate with other agencies to enforce traffic rules and regulations.

He added that Section 23(1) of the law prescribes fines for offenders, payable either on the spot where imposed by a mobile court or within 48 hours of ticket issuance by an authorised officer, with defaulters charged before a Magistrate or Mobile Court. Motorists, the ministry said, are also entitled to challenge such tickets in court.

Pedro further noted that the enforcement procedures adopted by VIS officers on Lagos roads are lawful, constitutional, and in strict compliance with existing regulations.

He advised not to be misled by misinterpretations of the court judgments and to cooperate with VIS officers to avoid sanctions and attendant consequences.

The Lagos State Government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that traffic and transport enforcement activities are conducted with civility, decorum, and respect for road users, warning that any motorist who disobeys or assaults a VIS officer in the lawful discharge of duty will be arrested and prosecuted.

Advertisement