JUSTICE Evelyn Maha of the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order prohibiting the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, also known as the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), from stopping vehicles on the road, impounding or confiscating them, and imposing fines on motorists.
This ruling was delivered today in response to a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by human rights activist and public interest attorney, Abubakar Marshal.
The order also applies to the Director of Road Transport, the Area Commander of Jabi, the team leader in Jabi, and the Minister of the FCT, who were listed as respondents in the case.
Justice Maha upheld Marshal’s argument, stating that no law grants the respondents the authority to stop, impound, confiscate, or impose fines on motorists. The judge declared that such actions are not supported by any legal statute.
As a result, she issued a restraining order preventing them from seizing vehicles or imposing fines, declaring such actions wrongful, oppressive, and unlawful.
Additionally, Justice Maha granted a perpetual injunction barring the respondents from further infringing on Nigerians’ rights to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence, and the right to own property without lawful justification.
