Lagos State Refutes Ban on Vehicle Inspection Services

The Lagos State Government has dismissed claims that vehicle inspection services in the state are banned, clarifying that a recent court judgment delivered in Abuja has been misrepresented. The appeal court ruling, which affirmed an earlier decision by the Federal High Court, declared certain activities of vehicle inspection officers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) illegal due to the absence of enabling law.

Justice Evelyn Maha presided over the case, which involved the FCT Administration, including the Director of Road Transport Area Command, Jabi. The court ruled that the FCT lacked statutory power to stop, impound, or confiscate vehicles and impose fines on motorists.

Lagos State's Ministry of Justice explained that the judgment is binding only within the FCT and does not apply nationwide. The state has a clear legal framework for regulating vehicle inspections, as outlined in the Lagos State Vehicle Inspection Service Law.

The ministry urged the public to understand that vehicle inspection officers in Lagos are operating within the law.