JUST IN: Court Ruling Limits VIO Powers, Orders Them to Stop Seizing Vehicles, Imposing Fines on Motorists

Court Upholds Citizens’ Rights, Restricts VIO’s Authority to Enforce Road Traffic Penalties

In a significant legal development, a Federal High Court in Abuja has prohibited the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (VIO) from stopping, impounding, or confiscating vehicles, as well as imposing fines on motorists.

Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha delivered the judgment on October 2, 2024, in case FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023, stating that the VIO lacks the legal authority to enforce such actions. The court’s ruling also encompasses several high-ranking officials, including the Director of Road Transport, the Area Commander of Jabi, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who were named as respondents in the case.

Justice Maha supported the argument presented by the plaintiff, asserting that there is no legal foundation for the VIO to stop vehicles, impound them, or impose fines on motorists. The ruling declared that the first four respondents, under the authority of the fifth respondent (the Minister of the FCT), have no statutory power to carry out these actions.

The court issued a restraining order against the respondents, preventing them and their agents from impounding or confiscating vehicles or imposing fines on motorists. Justice Maha described these actions as “wrongful, oppressive, and unlawful.”

Furthermore, the ruling included a perpetual injunction against the respondents and anyone acting on their behalf, ensuring the protection of citizens’ rights to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence, and ownership of property without unlawful interference.

As of now, it remains unclear whether the VIO will comply with the ruling. A request for comment from a spokesman for the directorate went unanswered as of Thursday afternoon.