~Ola Williams, FCT-Abuja:
The Federal High Court in Abuja ruled on Wednesday that the Directorate of Road Services, commonly known as the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), must immediately stop confiscating vehicles and imposing fines for road traffic violations.
Delivering judgment in case FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023 on October 2, 2024, Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha stated that the VIO has no legal authority to impound vehicles or penalize motorists. “VIO officers are not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound, confiscate the vehicles of motorists and/or impose fines on motorists,” Justice Maha declared.
The ruling followed a lawsuit filed by human rights lawyer Abubakar Marshal of Falana and Falana Chambers, marking a significant limitation on the powers of one of Nigeria’s most feared traffic enforcement agencies. The judgment is seen as a major relief for millions of Nigerian motorists.
In addition, the judge issued a perpetual injunction, barring the VIO and its agents or any affiliates from violating Nigerians’ rights to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence, and ownership of property without lawful justification.
Notably, the order does not affect the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria’s largest road traffic enforcement body, which remains authorized to carry out its duties.
As of Thursday afternoon, the VIO had not commented on the ruling, and it remains unclear whether they will comply with the court’s decision.
