Justice Evelyn Maha of the Abuja High Court has issued a directive restraining the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, commonly known as the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), from stopping vehicles, seizing or confiscating them, and imposing fines on drivers.
The ruling was made in response to a fundamental rights enforcement lawsuit filed by human rights activist and public interest lawyer Abubakar Marshal.
The order also applies to the Director of Road Transport, the Area Commander, Jabi, the team leader, Jabi, and the Minister of the FCT, who were all listed as respondents.
Justice Maha agreed with Marshal’s argument that the respondents do not have the legal authority to stop, seize, confiscate, or impose fines on drivers, emphasizing that they had no legal backing.
Furthermore, she issued a directive prohibiting them from confiscating vehicles or imposing fines, as such actions are considered wrongful, oppressive, and unlawful.
Justice Maha also issued a permanent injunction preventing the respondents from further violating Nigerians’ rights to freedom of movement, the presumption of innocence, and the right to own property without lawful justification.