Court bars VIO, others from stopping, impounding, confiscating vehicles

A Federal High Court in Abuja has barred the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, popularly known as VIO from stopping vehicles on the road, confiscating vehicles, and imposing fines on motorists.

Justice Evelyn Maha issued the order on Wednesday October 2, 2024, in a judgment on a fundamental rights enforcement suit: FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023 filed by a human rights and public interest attorney, Abubakar Marshal.

The order affected the Director of Road Transport; the Area Commander, Jabi, and the Team Leader, Jabi, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, also listed as respondents.

Justice Maha upheld Marshal’s argument that no law empowers the respondents to stop, confiscate, impound, seize and impose fines on motorists.

The judge declared that the first to the 4th respondents, who are under the control of the 5th respondent (Minister of the FCT) are not empowered by any law.

She further issued an order restraining the 1st to 4th respondents either through their servants or agents from confiscating, impounding vehicles or imposing a fine on any motorist as doing so is wrongful, oppressive, and unlawful by themselves.

Justice Maha also made an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from further violating the rights of Nigerians to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence and right to own property without lawful justification.