It’s Illegal for VIOs to Impound Vehicles, Impose Fines on Motorists, Court Rules

Pat Stevens/

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has prohibited the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, whose officials are commonly known as Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO), from stopping vehicles on the road, impounding or confiscating them, and imposing fines on motorists.

Justice Evelyn Maha delivered the landmark judgement in a fundamental rights enforcement suit by human rights activist and public interest attorney, Abubakar Marshal, yesterday.

Maha affirmed Marshal’s claim that there is no legal basis for the VIO and its officials to stop, impound, or confiscate vehicles or to levy fines against motorists.

The Director of Road Transport, Area Commander in Jabi, Team Leader in Jabi, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are defendants in the suit.

“The actions of the first to fourth respondents, under the control of the fifth respondent, are not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound, or confiscate the vehicles of motorists or impose fines on them,” Maha said.

The judge also issued a restraining order against the respondents, preventing them and their agents from impounding or confiscating vehicles or imposing fines, labelling such actions as wrongful, oppressive, and unlawful.

Maha further granted a perpetual injunction to protect the rights of Nigerians, ensure their freedom of movement, presumption of innocence, and right to own property without lawful justification.

The ruling is expected to have significant implications for traffic enforcement practices and the rights of motorists in Nigeria.