The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has upheld a Federal High Court ruling that barred the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) from enforcing traffic laws in the country. The appellate court also affirmed the award of N1 million in damages to an Abuja motorist, Abubakar Marshal.
The lower court had earlier declared that the Directorate of Road Services, popularly known as VIO, lacks the legal authority to stop vehicles, confiscate them, or impose fines on motorists.
In the judgement delivered on October 2, 2024, by Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023, the court held that no existing law empowers VIO officers to carry out such enforcement duties.
The suit was filed by human rights lawyer Abubakar Marshal of Falana & Falana Chambers, who challenged what he described as the unlawful enforcement powers exercised by VIO officers. The ruling significantly limits the operations of one of Nigeria’s most notorious traffic enforcement bodies and brings relief to millions of motorists nationwide.
Justice Maha further clarified that the decision does not affect the statutory powers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), which remains the legally recognised agency for road traffic enforcement.
The court also issued a perpetual injunction restraining the VIO, its officers, agents and affiliates from stopping vehicles, impounding them, or imposing fines, adding that doing so violates Nigerians’ rights to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence and property ownership.
