By Justice Evelyn Maha of the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a significant ruling barring the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, also known as the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), from continuing to stop vehicles, impound or confiscate them, and impose fines on motorists.
The judgment, delivered on Thursday, follows a fundamental rights enforcement suit brought by Abubakar Marshal, a human rights activist and public interest attorney. The respondents in the case include the Director of Road Transport, the Area Commander of Jabi, the team leader of Jabi, and the Minister of the FCT according to sources
Justice Maha supported Marshal’s argument that the respondents lack legal authority under any statute to stop, impound, confiscate, seize vehicles, or impose fines on motorists.
The judge proceeded to issue a court order restraining the respondents from further confiscating vehicles or imposing fines, underscoring the unjust and oppressive nature of such actions.
Moreover, Justice Maha’s ruling includes a perpetual injunction preventing the respondents from violating Nigerians’ fundamental rights to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence, and property ownership without lawful justification.
However, reactions to the court’s decision have been mixed. Igonor Mathias, a user, expressed skepticism, stating, “Will they listen? I know how many times those guys have demanded silly fines from my dispatch riders.”
Another user, @itzrhodecia, questioned the efficacy of court rulings, remarking, “The same court that nobody obeys anymore?”
Another user also emphasized the importance of obeying court orders, stating, “We have always respected court pronouncements… it’s about following these rulings. VIO will still not comply and nothing will happen.”
