In a landmark ruling, the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has curtailed the Vehicle Inspection Office’s (VIO) powers, declaring that the directorate lacks the authority to confiscate vehicles or impose fines on motorists for traffic violations.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha, provides significant relief to Nigerian motorists by limiting VIO’s enforcement scope. The ruling follows a lawsuit by human rights attorney Abubakar Marshal challenging VIO’s overreach in traffic enforcement.
In a significant ruling, the Federal High Court in Abuja declared that the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) lacks the legal authority to confiscate vehicles or impose fines on motorists for traffic violations. The judgment, delivered by Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha on October 2, 2024, in case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023, follows a lawsuit filed by human rights lawyer Abubakar Marshal of Falana & Falana Chambers.
Justice Maha emphasized that as a road service directorate, the VIO has no statutory power to stop, impound vehicles, or impose penalties on road users, stating that such actions are beyond the VIO’s legal mandate. The court subsequently issued an injunction preventing the VIO from infringing on Nigerians’ rights, including the right to freedom of movement and property ownership, unless supported by law.
The case is expected to bring relief to millions of Nigerians who have faced vehicle confiscation or fines by the VIO. However, this ruling does not affect the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), which remains authorized to enforce road safety regulations nationwide.
The ruling is seen as a major limitation on the VIO’s enforcement powers, but there remains uncertainty over whether the VIO will comply with the court order, as agency officials have yet to issue a response to the judgment.
This development will likely have far-reaching implications for motorists and law enforcement in Nigeria, pending any further legal action or clarification on the scope of the ruling.
