BREAKING: Court bars VIO from stopping, impounding, confiscating vehicles

The Directorate of Road Traffic Services also known as VIO has been barred from stopping, compounding or confiscating vehicles and imposing fines on car users in the Federal Capital Territory.

The barring order against the activities of the VIO was given by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday, October 3.

The judge over the matter, Justice Evelyn Maha issued the ban while giving judgment on a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed before the court by a human rights activist and lawyer, Abubakar Marshal.

The order also binds the Area Commander, Jabi; Team Leader, Jabi; the Director of Road Transport; and the Minister of the FCT, who were listed as respondents on the matter.

In the judgement, Justice Maha held that no law empowers the respondents to carry out such activities.

The judge also ruled that the first to fourth respondents who are under the control of the FCT minister have no such powers.

Ms Maha also issued a restraining order to the first to the fourth respondents and their agents from either impounding or confiscating vehicles and fining motorists.

In her ruling, she said that doing so is wrongful, oppressive, and unlawful by themselves.

She further proclaimed a judgement restricting the respondents or their agents from further violating the rights of Nigerian motorists to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence and right to own property without lawful justification.