An order prohibiting the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, also known as the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), from stopping cars on the road, impoundeding or confiscating vehicles, or fining drivers has been issued by Justice Evelyn Maha of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In a judgement on Thursday, Justice Maha issued the order on a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by a human rights activist and public interest attorney, Abubakar Marshal.
The Area Commander, Jabi, the team leader, Jabi, the Director of Road Transport, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory are also mentioned as respondents and are impacted by the order.
Justice Maha upheld Marshal’s argument that no law empowers the respondents to stop, impound, confiscate, seize, or impose fines on motorists.
The judge declared that they are not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound, or confiscate the vehicles of motorists and impose fines on motorists.
She proceeded to issue an order restraining them from confiscating the vehicle of motorists, or imposing a fine, as doing so is wrongful, oppressive, and unlawful by themselves.
Justice Maha ordered a perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from further violating the rights of Nigerians to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence and right to own property without lawful justification.
