Court prohibits VIO from stopping, impounding, and confiscating vehicles.

Justice Evelyn Maha of the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order prohibiting the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, better known as the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), from halting vehicles on the road, impounding or confiscating them, or imposing fines on motorists.

Abubakar Marshal, a human rights activist and public interest lawyer, submitted the fundamental rights enforcement lawsuit, and Justice Maha issued the order on Thursday.

The order also applies to the Director of Road Transport, the Area Commander, Jabi, the team leader, Jabi, and the Minister of the FCT, who are all designated as respondents.

Justice Maha upheld Marshal’s argument that no law empowers the respondents to stop, impound, confiscate, seize, or impose fines on motorists.

The judge determined that no law or statute authorises them to stop, impound, or seize drivers’ vehicles and charge fines.

She then issued an injunction prohibiting them from seizing motorists’ automobiles or collecting fines, citing that such acts are wrongful, oppressive, and unlawful.

Justice Maha issued a perpetual injunction prohibiting the respondents from further breaching Nigerians’ rights to freedom of movement, the assumption of innocence, and the ability to own property without legal basis.