Just in: Court bars VIO from seizing vehicles, imposing fines on motorists

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has barred the Directorate of Road Traffic Services and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) from seizing or levying fines on motorists in the Federal Capital Territory.

In a judgment, Justice Nkeonye Maha held that no law empowered the VIO to stop, impound, confiscate, seize, or impose fines on motorists for any form of violation.

Mr. Abubakar Marshal, a public interest lawyer, filed the lawsuit that resulted in the judgment.

Justice Maha granted the plaintiff’s requested relief, issuing a court order that specifically prohibits the respondents, including their agents and representatives, from impounding or confiscating vehicles or imposing fines on motorists, deeming such actions wrongful, oppressive, and unlawful.

The court has taken a significant step in protecting Nigerians’ rights by issuing a perpetual injunction that bars the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, its agents, and affiliates from continuing to violate citizens’ freedom of movement, presumption of innocence, and right to own property without lawful justification.

The judge held that any motorist found to have violated any existing law could only face a fine or sanction from a court of competent jurisdiction.

It declared that the 1st to 4th respondents in the case, which are under the control of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (5th defendant), are not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound, or confiscate vehicles and/or impose fines on motorists.