The Federal High Court, situated in Abuja, has prohibited the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, commonly referred to as VIO, from halting vehicles on public roads, seizing vehicles, and levying fines upon motorists.
On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, Justice Evelyn Maha rendered the directive in a ruling pertaining to a fundamental rights enforcement application: FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023, which was submitted by the human rights and public interest lawyer, Abubakar Marshal.
The directive impacts the Director of Road Transport, the Area Commander of Jabi, the Team Leader of Jabi, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who were also designated as respondents.
Justice Maha upheld Mr. Marshal’s contention that no statutory provision grants the respondents the authority to stop, seize, impound, confiscate, or impose fines upon motorists.
The presiding judge asserted that the first through fourth respondents, who operate under the jurisdiction of the fifth respondent (the Minister of the FCT), possess no legal authority to act in such a manner.
Additionally, she issued a directive restraining the first through fourth respondents, whether through their employees or agents, from confiscating, impounding vehicles, or imposing fines upon any motorist, as such actions are deemed wrongful, oppressive, and unlawful.
Justice Maha further established a perpetual injunction prohibiting the respondents from infringing upon the rights of Nigerians to freedom of movement, the presumption of innocence, and the right to possess property without lawful justification.