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Court Bars VIO from Stopping, Impounding Vehicles, Imposing Fines on Motorists

A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order prohibiting the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (VIO) from stopping vehicles on the road, impounding or confiscating vehicles, and imposing fines on motorists.

The ruling, delivered by Justice Evelyn Maha, comes after a fundamental rights enforcement suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023) was filed by human rights activist and attorney Abubakar Marshal.

The court found that no law grants the VIO or related authorities the power to carry out such actions. The order also affects the Director of Road Transport, the Area Commander and Team Leader of Jabi, as well as the Minister of the FCT, who were all listed as respondents.

Justice Maha ruled that the VIO and other respondents are not legally empowered to stop, impound, or confiscate vehicles, or to impose fines on motorists, deeming such actions as “wrongful, oppressive, and unlawful.”

She also issued a perpetual injunction preventing the respondents or their agents from further violating citizens’ rights to freedom of movement, property ownership, and presumption of innocence.

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