The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has addressed what it calls a viral report of misrepresentation about a court case. This case involved a judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja on the authority of Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to a statement from Lawal Pedro, a senior advocate and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the ministry is aware of reports that are twisting the appellate court’s decision. The court supported an earlier ruling that said VIO officials in the FCT couldn’t seize vehicles or issue fines because it was against the law.
Back in 2025, Justice Evelyn Maha of the Federal High Court in Abuja stated that the Director of Road Transport, the Team Leader, the Area Commander Jabi, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) didn’t have any legal power to stop, take, or fine drivers. Because of this, the court ordered the VIO to stop these actions in Abuja.
The Ministry explained that both courts made their decisions because the VIO didn’t have the legal authority to do what they were doing under the laws of the FCT.
The Lagos State Government agrees that these rulings are valid. Still, they want to make it clear that the judgment, while binding, does not apply to the whole country.
They also explained that only the parties involved in the case and any state without its own VIO laws, similar to FCT Abuja, are affected by the judgments. Nigeria has a federal system, which means that the federal government and the state authorities have different law-making powers.
The statement makes a point that vehicle checks and managing traffic are things that states usually handle. Lagos has its own laws that control these activities.
Because of this, the ministry is advising the public not to be misled by the misinterpretation of the judgments from the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal. They also encourage everyone to work with VIS officers to avoid getting penalised.
The Lagos State Government will continue to make sure that all traffic and transport enforcement on Lagos roads follows the laws and Regulations strictly. They will also act politely and respectfully towards road users.
So, any driver in Lagos who doesn’t listen to or attack a VIS officer while they are doing their job will be arrested and taken to court by this Ministry, they added.
