A Federal High Court in Abuja has prohibited Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), from stopping vehicles on the road, impounding or confiscating them, and imposing fines on motorists.
The prohibition was via a judgement delivered by Justice Evelyn Maha on October 2.
It was premised on a fundamental rights enforcement suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023) filed by human rights activist and public interest attorney, Abubakar Marshal.
The presiding judge, Justice Maha, affirmed Marshal’s averment, noting that there was no legal basis for VIO and its officials to stop, impound, or confiscate vehicles or to levy fines against motorists.
The order also extended to Director of Road Transport, Area Commander in Jabi, and Team Leader in Jabi, with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) listed as a respondent.
The judge ruled, “The actions of the first to fourth respondents, under the control of the fifth respondent, are not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound, or confiscate the vehicles of motorists or impose fines on them.”
The court also issued a restraining order against the respondents, preventing them and their agents from impounding or confiscating vehicles or imposing fines, labeling such actions as wrongful, oppressive, and unlawful.
Justice Maha further granted a perpetual injunction to protect the rights of Nigerians, ensuring their freedom of movement, presumption of innocence, and right to own property without lawful justification.
