Court Bars VIO From Stopping, Confiscating, Impounding Vehicles

Justice Evelyn Maha of the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a directive restricting the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, also called the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), from stopping vehicles on the road, impounding or confiscating vehicles, and imposing fines on motorists.

In a Thursday judgment, Justice Maha issued the order on a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by a human rights activist and public interest attorney, Abubakar Marshal.

Also affected by the order are the Director of Road Transport; the Area Commander, Jabi, and the team leader, Jabi, and the Minister of the FCT, also listed as respondents.

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

The judge declared that they are not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound, or confiscate the vehicles of motorists and impose fines on motorists.

She proceeded to issue an order restraining them from confiscating the vehicle of motorists, or imposing a fine, as doing so is wrongful, oppressive, and unlawful by themselves.

Justice Maha ordered a 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.