Court Orders VIO To Stop Vehicle Seizures, Fines

Justice Evelyn Maha of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, also known as the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), has no legal authority to stop, impound, or confiscate vehicles on the road or impose fines on motorists.

The ruling, delivered on October 2, 2024, stemmed from a fundamental rights suit filed by public interest lawyer Abubakar Marshal, who argued that such actions by the VIO violate motorists’ constitutional rights.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that in her judgment, Justice Maha agreed with the claims, stating that the VIO’s actions are wrongful, oppressive, and unlawful.

The lawsuit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023, named the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, its Director, and other officials as respondents, along with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

The court issued a restraining order preventing the VIO and its agents from further confiscating vehicles or imposing fines on motorists, labeling these actions as violations of fundamental human rights.

Justice Maha also granted a perpetual injunction to safeguard Nigerians’ rights to freedom of movement, the presumption of innocence, and the right to own property without unlawful interference.

The court emphasized that the VIO lacks any statutory or legal basis to carry out these activities.

The judgment is seen as a major relief for motorists, curbing the overreach of the VIO, while the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) remains the authorized body for road traffic enforcement in Nigeria.

The court’s ruling further protects citizens from unlawful fines and vehicle confiscations, ensuring compliance with constitutional rights.

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