An order prohibiting the Directorate of Road Traffic Services Vehicle Inspection Office, often known as VIO, from impounding, seizing, or fining any drivers for suspected traffic violations was issued by a Federal High Court located in Abuja.
On October 2, 2024, on a Wednesday, Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha issued the order in the course of presiding over a fundamental rights complaint brought forth by rights activist and public interest attorney Mr. Marshal Abubakar Marshal.
According to Justice Maha’s ruling, the applicant was correct when she said that the respondents were not authorized by law to stop, impounded, seize, or fine drivers.
Because of the defendants’ authority to seize and fine drivers for allegedly violating traffic laws, Abubakar had taken the Directorate of Road Traffic Services and four other parties to court. Among other things.
In the suit filed under the file number ‘FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023, the judge rendered a decision in which she determined’ that no legal authority existed for the first respondent (the Directorate of Road Traffic Services) to the fourth respondents (the Federal Capital Territory Minister), who were all under the control of the fifth respondent (the Minister).
A further order was issued by the judgment prohibiting the first through fourth respondents, or their representatives, from impounded, seizing, or fining any driver since it is unfair, repressive, and illegal in and of itself.
Justice Maha also issued a permanent injunction prohibiting the respondents from operating through themselves, their representatives, privies, allies, or anybody else acting on their behalf.
on behalf of the First Respondent to stop future infringement on Nigerians’ rights to their freedom of travel, the assumption of innocence, and the ability to possess property without a valid reason.
