Justice Evelyn Maha of the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order prohibiting the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, also known as the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), from stopping vehicles on the road, impounding or confiscating them, and imposing fines on motorists.
In a ruling on Thursday, Justice Maha delivered the order in response to a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by human rights activist and public interest attorney Abubakar Marshal.
The order also applies to the Director of Road Transport, the Area Commander in Jabi, the team leader in Jabi, and the Minister of the FCT, all named as respondents.
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Justice Maha supported Marshal’s argument that no law grants the respondents the authority to stop, impound, or fine motorists.
She declared that such actions are unlawful and oppressive, issuing an order to restrain them from confiscating vehicles or imposing fines.
The judge also ordered a perpetual injunction against the respondents to prevent further violations of Nigerians’ rights to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence, and property ownership without lawful justification.
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