By Jimmy Arch
The Court of Appeal in Abuja on December 4, 2025, affirmed the ban against the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, also known as Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), from impounding, confiscating, or imposing a fine on motorists.
Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi, who delivered the unanimous ruling on behalf of a three-member panel of justices, affirmed the October 16, 2024, decision of the Federal High Court, which had restrained the VIO from harassing drivers on public roads.
“I find no iota of merit in this appeal; the decision of the lower court is hereby affirmed.
“Cost of N1 million is awarded against the appellant,” the appellate court held.
In the latest verdict, the Court held that the appeal brought by the Minister of FCT through his counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), was devoid of any merit and that the operations were illegal.
A human rights activist and public interest attorney, Abubakar Marshal, had filed the suit contending that there is no law empowering the respondents the confiscate vehicles and impose fines on motorists. He challenged the legality of the VIO’s actions on public highways.
The respondents in the suit are the Director of Traffic Services, the Director, Directorate of Road Traffic Services; Mr. Leo, the Area Commander, Directorate of Road Traffic Services; Onoja Solomon, Team Leader, Directorate of Road Traffic Services, Jabi Area Command; and the Minister of FCT.
The Federal High Court held in 2024 that no law empowered the agency, its Vehicle Inspection Officers, or related authorities to impound vehicles or impose fines. The ruling described such practices as illegal, oppressive, and a violation of citizens’ rights to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence, and property ownership.
Delivering the judgment in case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023 on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, the presiding judge, Nkeonye Evelyn Maha, held that no law empowered the respondents to carry out such activities.
“The actions of the first to fourth respondents, under the control of the fifth respondent, are not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound, or confiscate the vehicles of motorists or impose fines on them,” she said.
The Federal High Court subsequently issued an order against the respondents and their agents from impounding or confiscating vehicles or imposing fines, declaring such actions as improper, illegal, and oppressive. It issued a perpetual injunction to uphold Nigerians’ rights to their freedom of movement, presumption of innocence, and right to own property.
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