The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has made a significant ruling stating that the Directorate of Road Services, also known as the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), must stop confiscating vehicles and imposing fines on Nigerians for traffic violations.
The ruling was delivered on October 2, 2024, in case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023 by Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha. She stated that the VIO does not have the legal authority to seize vehicles or impose strict penalties on drivers.
This decision came after a lawsuit filed by rights lawyer Abubakar Marshal from Falana and Falana Chambers, which challenged the powers of one of Nigeria’s most controversial road traffic enforcement agencies. The ruling significantly reduces the VIO’s authority, providing relief to many drivers who have faced threats of having their vehicles taken or being fined.
However, it is important to note that this ruling does not apply to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), a federal which has the largest organization of road traffic marshals in Nigeria. In her judgment, Justice Maha stated, “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 issued a permanent injunction against the VIO and its agents, preventing them from violating the rights of Nigerians, including their freedom of movement and property rights, without legal justification.
As of Thursday afternoon, it was still unclear whether the VIO would follow the court’s ruling, as a spokesperson for the directorate had not responded to inquiries about the judgment.
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