The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has announced that the Directorate of Road Services, commonly known as VIO, must immediately stop confiscating vehicles or imposing fines on Nigerians for road traffic violations.
Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha made this ruling while delivering judgment in case FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023 on Wednesday, October 2, 2024.
She stated that the infamous road traffic inspectorate lacks the legal authority to seize vehicles or impose harsh penalties on drivers.
This judgment, stemming from a lawsuit filed by human rights lawyer Abubakar Marshal of Falana and Falana Chambers, has significantly reduced the powers of one of the country’s most feared road traffic enforcers, providing relief to millions of motorists nationwide.
In her ruling, Justice Maha emphasised that
VIO officers are not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound, confiscate the vehicles of motorists, or impose fines on motorists.
As a result, the judge issued a permanent injunction prohibiting the VIO and its agents, affiliates, or anyone acting on their behalf from further infringing upon the rights of Nigerians to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence, and the right to own property without lawful justification.
