The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld a Federal High Court ruling that bars the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, known as VIO, from stopping, impounding, or confiscating vehicles and issuing fines to motorists.
A three-member panel of the appellate court delivered a unanimous decision, resolving all three issues raised in the appeal against the VIO.
In the lead judgment, Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi ruled that the appeal lacked merit and could not stand.
The court also ordered the VIO to pay N1 million in costs to the respondent, rights activist and public interest lawyer, Abubakar Marshal.
Justice Nkeonye Maha of the Federal High Court had earlier declared that no existing law empowers the VIO to stop vehicles, seize them, or fine motorists for any alleged traffic violation.
The ruling stemmed from a fundamental rights suit filed by Marshal, who told the court that VIO officials forcefully stopped him at Jabi, Abuja, on December 12, 2023, and confiscated his vehicle without any lawful reason.
He asked the court to determine whether the actions of the officials were not oppressive, unlawful, and a violation of his fundamental human rights.
While granting his reliefs, Justice Maha firmly restrained the VIO and its agents from impounding vehicles or imposing fines, describing such actions as unlawful and oppressive.
