Federal High Court in Abuja has barred the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, often known as VIO, from stopping vehicles on the road, seizing them, and imposing penalties on drivers.
On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, Justice Evelyn Maha issued the ruling in a judgment on a basic rights enforcement complaint (FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023) submitted by Abubakar Marshal, a human rights and public interest attorney.
The order affected VIO, the Area Commander, Jabi, and the Team Leader, Jabi, as well as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, who were all designated as respondents.
Justice Maha affirmed Marshal’s contention that no legislation authorizes the respondents to stop, confiscate, impound, seize, and punish motorists.
The judge ruled that the first through fourth respondents, who are under the supervision 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 seizing, impounding, or imposing a fee on any driver since doing so is unjust, oppressive, and illegal on its own.
Justice Maha also issued a lifelong injunction prohibiting the respondents from further infringing Nigerians’ rights to freedom of movement, the assumption of innocence, and the ability to possess property without legal basis.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
