Executive Director of the Niger State Motor Vehicle Administration Agency Bako Mohammed, has asserted that a recent Federal High Court ruling, which prohibits the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) from stopping vehicles on the road, does not apply to Niger State.
During a press conference in Minna, North Central Nigeria, ahead of the National Conference on Standardization and Harmonization of Vehicle Testing and Licensing, Bako emphasized that the state governor possesses constitutional authority to establish laws governing vehicular movement within its jurisdiction. He indicated that Niger State will continue its VIO operations as usual, notwithstanding the court’s ruling.
The Federal High Court in Abuja had determined that the VIO lacks the legal authority to stop vehicles, confiscate them, or impose fines on motorists. Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha delivered the judgment, stating that no existing law empowers the VIO to conduct such actions.
Despite this, Bako reiterated that the upcoming National Conference of Directors of Road Traffic aims to propose a unified standard for policies concerning safety and security in motor vehicle administration throughout Nigeria.
The conference, set to take place in Niger State, seeks to harmonize vehicle testing and licensing procedures across the nation, ensuring consistency and improved safety standards.
