The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has ruled that the Directorate of Road Services, commonly known as the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), must immediately stop confiscating vehicles or imposing fines on Nigerians for road traffic violations, Okay.ng reports.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha on October 2, 2024, in case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023, stated that the VIO lacks the legal authority to seize vehicles or enforce penalties on motorists.
The ruling followed a lawsuit filed by rights attorney Abubakar Marshal of Falana and Falana Chambers, which challenged the powers of the VIO, one of Nigeria’s most contentious road traffic enforcement agencies.
Justice Maha emphasized that VIO officers are “not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound, confiscate the vehicles of motorists and or impose fines on motorists.”
The court also issued a perpetual injunction barring the VIO and its agents from infringing on the rights of Nigerians, including their freedom of movement and property ownership, without lawful justification.
The decision is expected to provide relief to millions of Nigerian motorists who have faced the threat of vehicle confiscation and fines for road traffic violations.
However, the court clarified that the ruling does not affect the powers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria’s primary body responsible for road traffic enforcement.
As of Thursday, the VIO had not responded to the ruling, and it remains unclear whether the directorate will comply with the court’s decision.
