Court Bars VIO, Others From Impounding, Imposing Fines On Motorists
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The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday, issued an order barring the The Directorate of Road Traffic Services popularly known as VIO from impounding, confiscating or imposing fine on any motorist.
The Court issued the order while delivering judgment in a suit filed by human right activist and public interest Attorney, Abubakar Marshal.
Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha agreed with the lawyer that there is no law empowering the VIO to stop, impound, confiscate, seize or impose fine on motorists.
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The judgment was in respect of a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023 between Marshal Abubakar vs the Directorate of Road Traffic Services & 4 Ors.
The court declared that the 1st defendant (Directorate of Road Traffic Services) to 4th Respondents under the control of the 5th Respondent (Minister of the Federal Capital Territory) are not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound, confiscate the vehicles of motorists and or impose fine on motorists.
The Judge therefore issued an order restraining the 1st to 4th respondents either through their agents, servants and or assigns from impounding, confiscating the vehicle of motorists and or imposing fine on any motorist as doing so is wrongful, oppressive and unlawful by themselves.
The court also made an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents whether by themselves, agents, privies, allies or anybody acting on behalf of the 1st Respondent from further violating the rights of Nigerians to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence and right to own property without lawful justification.
