Court Bars VIO From Halting, Seizing, Or Imposing Fines On Motorists

A Federal High Court in Abuja has barred VIO, from stopping vehicles on the road, seizing or taking possession of vehicles, and levying fines on drivers.

The court, in a judgement that was delivered by Justice Nkeonye Maha, held that no law empowered the VIO to stop, impound, confiscate, seize, or impose fines on motorists for any form of violation.

The judgement followed a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023, which was filed by a public interest lawyer, Mr. Abubakar Marshal.

Justice Maha, while granting reliefs that were sought by the plaintiff, specifically restrained the Respondents, either through their agents, servants, and or assigns, from impounding and confiscating vehicles or imposing a fine on any motorist as doing so would be wrongful, oppressive and unlawful.

The court also issued an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents, whether by themselves, agents, privies, allies or anybody acting on behalf of the 1st Respondent (Directorate of Road Traffic Services), from further violating the rights of Nigerians to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence and right to own property without lawful justification.

Justice Maha held that only a court of competent jurisdiction could impose a fine or sanction any motorist who was found to have acted in breach of any extant law.

It declared that the 1st to 4th Respondents in the matter, which are under the control of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (5th defendant), are not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound, or confiscate vehicles and or impose fines on motorists.