BREAKING: Court Bars VIO and Others from Stopping, Impounding, or Confiscating Vehicles

A court ruling has barred the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) and other agencies from stopping, impounding, or confiscating vehicles in Nigeria. Learn more about the legal decision and its implications.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has prohibited the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, commonly known as VIO, from stopping vehicles on roads, seizing vehicles, or imposing fines on drivers.

On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, Justice Evelyn Maha delivered a judgment on the fundamental rights enforcement suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023. The case was filed by Abubakar Marshal, a human rights and public interest attorney.

The order impacted the Director of Road Transport, along with the Area Commander and Team Leader of Jabi, as well as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), all listed as respondents.

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Justice Maha supported Marshal’s argument that there is no law authorizing the respondents to stop, confiscate, impound, seize, or impose fines on motorists.

The judge stated that the first through fourth respondents, who are under the authority of the fifth respondent (the Minister of the FCT), do not have any legal empowerment.

She also issued an order prohibiting the 1st to 4th respondents, along with their servants or agents, from confiscating or impounding vehicles, or imposing fines on any motorist. Such actions are considered wrongful, oppressive, and unlawful if carried out by them.

Justice Maha issued a perpetual injunction preventing the respondents from continuing to violate Nigerians’ rights to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence, and ownership of property without lawful justification.