Judgment Barring VIO From Stopping, Impounding Automobiles Not Relevant In Lagos – Commissioner

The Lagos State Authorities has said that the current Federal Excessive Courtroom judgment, which restricts the Directorate of Street Visitors Providers—also referred to as the Automobile Inspection Workplace (VIO)—from stopping, impounding, or confiscating automobiles, and imposing fines on motorists, will not be relevant in Lagos.

Final Wednesday, Justice Evelyn Maha issued a perpetual order in an Abuja Federal Excessive Courtroom. The judgment was in response to a basic rights enforcement swimsuit filed by Abubakar Marshal, a human rights activist and public curiosity lawyer.

In a press release on Tuesday, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, clarified that the ruling doesn’t have an effect on the VIO in Lagos. He emphasised that the judgment is restricted to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and doesn’t lengthen to Lagos State.

Osiyemi defined that the judgment was primarily based on the absence of a legislation empowering the VIO in Abuja to cease, seize, or impose fines on motorists. He highlighted that, in contrast to Abuja, Lagos State has an current legislation that defines the duties and powers of the VIO inside its jurisdiction.

“In reference to the Federal Excessive Courtroom judgment in Abuja barring the Directorate of Automobile Inspection Providers (in any other case often known as VIO) from additional stopping automobiles on the street, impounding or confiscating automobiles, and imposing fines on motorists and whether or not the VIO in Lagos State or that of different States could be affected by the choice,” he stated.

“You will need to word and learn that in legislation a court docket has limits of its territorial jurisdiction and on this case the judgment is restricted to Abuja.

“Additionally it is necessary to know the rationale of the judgment of Hon. Justice Evelyn Maha within the basic rights enforcement swimsuit: FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023. The rationale is that there isn’t a legislation which empowers the VIO in Abuja to cease, impound seize, or impose fines on motorists, whereas in Lagos State, there’s the Transport Sector Reform Legislation of Lagos State (TSRL-2018) which dictates; Half II, Part 11-22 of the legislation to the institution, duties and energy of VIO within the State, with the penalties or fines that may be imposed for visitors violations as contained in schedule of the legislation (violations-1-52)

“Subsequently the choice of the Federal Excessive Courtroom Abuja on VIO is inapplicable in Lagos State,” Osiyemi added.

He suggested motorists in Lagos to proceed to be legislation abiding, uphold the TSRL, and respect the VIO.