The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has banned the Directorate of Road Services, popularly known as VIO)from confiscating vehicles or imposing fines on Nigerians over road traffic violations.
In her judgement, Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha said that the notorious road traffic inspectorate was not legally equipped to seize vehicles or impose severe sanctions on motorists.
“VIO officers are not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound, confiscate the vehicles of motorists and or impose fine on motorists,” she said in her judgement.
The court, therefore, issued a perpetual injunction preventing the VIO and its affiliates from infringing upon the rights of Nigerians, including their freedom of movement, the presumption of innocence, and the right to own property without lawful justification.
While the order is to take immediate effect, it did not apply to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), which is the largest body of road traffic marshals in Nigeria.
The ruling came in response to a lawsuit FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023 filed by rights attorney Abubakar Marshal of Falana and Falana Chambers.
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