Ekiti not affected by Court’s ruling refraining VIO from impounding vehicles – Director

The Director and Chief Road Traffic Officer in Ekiti State, Engr Mathew Olawale Ayegbusi has clarified that Ekiti State is not affected by the judgement of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), refraining the body, popularly known as VIO, from impounding vehicles and imposing fines for violations of transport regulations.

This was contained in a statement personally signed by him and made available to journalists in Ado-Ekiti.

According to the statement, the judgement only applies strictly and exclusively to the operations of the FCT, Abuja and does not in any way affect the operations, powers or mandate of the Vehicle Inspection Officers and Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) authorities in Ekiti and other 35 states across the federation.

Ayegbusi noted that the MVA including vehicle registration & licensing, vehicle inspection & certification, driver training, testing & licensing, traffic monitoring & control, enforcement of traffic laws and regulations, road transport control, as well as regulation of motor vehicle-related trades and collection of associated fees is a residual matter under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Body called on Ekiti residents to exercise caution to avert unnecessary confusion, policy misinterpretation, as the Body in the state remains committed to promoting safe, orderly and sector road transport administration in Ekiti.

The statement reads, “The Director of Road Transport Services in Ekiti State, Mathew Olawale Ayegbusi, has observed with concern the growing public misconception surrounding the recent judgement of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which was recently upheld by the Court of Appeal, restraining the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) and its personnel from impounding vehicles or imposing fines for violations of the FCT Transport Regulations.

“We wish to categorically clarify that the said judgement applies strictly and exclusively to the operations of the FCT DRTS within the Federal Capital Territory.

The ruling does not in any way affect the operations, powers, or mandates of Vehicle Inspection Officers and Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) authorities in any other State of the Federation.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Motor Vehicle Administration including vehicle registration and licensing, vehicle inspection and certification, driver training. esting and licensing, traffic monitoring and control, enforcement of traffic aws and regulations, road transport control, as well as regulation of motor, vehicle-related trades and collection of associated fees is a residual matter under the Constitution the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“This means that State Governments retain the constitutional authority to enact and enforce laws guiding these activities within their jurisdictions.

“The misconception being propagated in some public circles, suggesting that the judgement has nationwide implications, is therefore incorrect, misleading, and legally unfounded.

“While the FCT Administration is reviewing the judgement for further actions, it must be emphasized that the ruling affects only DRTS activities in the FCT and should not be interpreted as binding on other States or their respective traffic and vehicle inspection agencies.

“We therefore calls on the media, stakeholders, and the general public to exercise caution in reportage and commentary on this matter to avoid unnecessary confusion, policy misinterpretation, or disruption of legitimate traffic enforcement activities across States”.