The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Wednesday ordered the Directorate of Road Services, commonly known as VIO, to immediately stop confiscating vehicles and imposing fines on Nigerians for traffic violations.
Delivering judgment in case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023 on October 2, 2024, Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha ruled that the VIO lacks the legal authority to seize vehicles or impose penalties on motorists.
The ruling, which stemmed from a lawsuit filed by human rights lawyer Abubakar Marshal of Falana and Falana Chambers, significantly curtailed the powers of one of Nigeria’s most feared traffic enforcement agencies, providing relief to millions of motorists nationwide.
The judgment does not affect the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the country’s primary road safety enforcement agency.
Justice Maha stated that VIO officers “are not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound, or confiscate motorists’ vehicles, nor to impose fines on them.”
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As part of the ruling, the court issued a perpetual injunction preventing the VIO and its representatives, affiliates, or any persons acting on its behalf from further infringing on Nigerians’ rights to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence, and property ownership without legal grounds.
It remains unclear whether the VIO will comply with the ruling, as a spokesperson for the directorate did not respond to a request for comment as of Thursday afternoon.
(Peoplesgazette)
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