A Federal High Court in Abuja has just barred the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (VIO) from stopping vehicles, impounding or confiscating them, and imposing fines on motorists. This landmark ruling was made by Justice Evelyn Maha in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by human rights activist Abubakar Marshal .
The court’s decision affects not just the VIO but also the Director of Road Transport, the Area Commander and Team Leader of Jabi, and the Minister of the FCT. Essentially, the judge ruled that none of these entities have the legal power to stop, impound, confiscate, or impose fines on motorists .
Here are the key takeaways from the ruling:
- No Legal Basis: The VIO and related entities have no law or statute empowering them to stop, impound, or confiscate vehicles, or impose fines on motorists.
- Restraining Order: The court has restrained the VIO and related entities from impounding, confiscating, or imposing fines on motorists, deeming such actions wrongful, oppressive, and unlawful.
- Perpetual Injunction: The court has issued a perpetual injunction to prevent the VIO and related entities from violating Nigerians’ rights to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence, and right to own property without lawful justification.
This ruling is a significant victory for motorists and human rights advocates in Nigeria.
