The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order barring the Directorate of Road Traffic Services also known as Vehicle Inspection Officers, VIO from stopping vehicles on the road.

The order also stopped the VIO from impounding or confiscating vehicles, and imposing fines on motorists.

In a judgement delivered by Justice Evelyn Maha on Thursday upheld that no law empowers the VIO to impound, confiscate, seize, or impose fines on motorists, describing such actions as oppressive, wrongful, and unlawful.

Justice Maha issued the order on a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by a human rights activist and public interest attorney, Abubakar Marshal.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023, listed the director of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, its area commander, the team leader of the Jabi branch, and the minister of the federal capital territory (FCT) as respondents.

The judge also declared that the first to the 4th respondents, who are under the control of the 5th respondent (Minister of the FCT) are not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound, or confiscate the vehicles of motorists and or impose fines on motorists.

Justice Maha further made an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents whether by themselves, agents, privies, allies or anybody acting on behalf of the 1st respondent from further violating the rights of Nigerians to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence and right to own property without lawful justification.

Writing by Omolola Ameen

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