The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed a judgment barring the Directorate of Road Traffic Services—popularly known as the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO)—from impounding vehicles, confiscating property or imposing fines on motorists.
Delivering its ruling on Thursday, a three-member panel dismissed an appeal filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, describing it as “devoid of merit.”
The case was originally instituted by human rights lawyer Marshal Abubakar, who argued that no existing law empowers the VIO or its agents to seize vehicles or penalise motorists.
The Federal High Court had agreed, ruling on October 3, 2024, that such actions violate constitutional rights to movement, property and presumption of innocence.
The appellate court upheld that decision and awarded N1 million in damages to Abubakar for the violation of his rights. It further issued a perpetual injunction restraining the VIO, its officers and representatives from engaging in such practices across the territory.
Respondents in the suit include senior officials of the traffic directorate and the FCT Minister. The judgment is expected to reshape traffic enforcement protocols in the FCT, reinforcing that only agencies explicitly empowered by law can penalise motorists.
