Court Prohibits VIO From Confiscating Vehicles, Imposing Fines On Motorists
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday, October 3, 2024, barred the Directorate of Road Traffic Services and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) from confiscating or imposing fines on motorists.
The court presided over 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.
In the judgement which was predicated upon a suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023, filed by a public interest lawyer, Mr. Abubakar Marshal, Justice Maha, 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.
The Court also 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.
Accordingly, the Court 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.