The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed a Federal High Court ruling that prohibits the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (VIO) from stopping, impounding, or confiscating vehicles on the road and fining motorists.
The judgment, delivered on Thursday by a three-member appellate panel, upheld the October 4, 2024 decision, dismissing the appeal filed by VIO against the order.
Justice Oyejoju Oyebiola Oyewumi, who led the panel, ruled the appeal “without merit” and imposed a N1 million cost on the Directorate of Road Traffic Services.
The ruling favored rights activist and public interest lawyer Abubakar Marshal, the respondent in the case.
“This decision reinforces the protection of motorists’ rights and curtails arbitrary enforcement actions by VIO,” Justice Oyewumi said.
The Court resolved all issues raised by the appellant against VIO, maintaining the ban on impoundments and fines until further legal review.
The case follows public concerns over alleged unlawful practices by VIO on Nigerian roads, with motorists and rights groups seeking judicial relief.
