Just in: Court bars VIO from confiscating vehicles, imposing fines on motorists

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has barred the Directorate of Road Traffic Services and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) from confiscating or imposing fines on motorists.

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.