The Federal High Court in Abuja has barred the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, also known as VIO, from stopping vehicles on the road, confiscating them, and imposing fines on drivers.
On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, Justice Evelyn Maha issued the order in a judgment on a fundamental rights enforcement suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023) filed by Abubakar Marshal, a human rights and public interest attorney.
The order affected the Director of Road Transport, the Area Commander, Jabi, and the Team Leader, Jabi, as well as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, who were all listed as respondents.
Justice Maha upheld Marshal’s argument that no law authorizes the respondents to stop, confiscate, impound, seize, and fine motorists.
The judge ruled that the first through fourth respondents, who are under the control of the fifth respondent (the Minister of the FCT), are not empowered by law.
She also issued an order prohibiting the first through fourth respondents, through their servants or agents, from confiscating, impounding, or imposing a fine on any motorist because doing so is wrongful, oppressive, and illegal on its own.
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.