The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld a previous Federal High Court ruling that bars the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), popularly known as VIO, from stopping, impounding or confiscating vehicles and imposing fines on motorists.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Oyejoju Oyebiola Oyewumi dismissed the VIO’s appeal for lacking merit.
The appellate court affirmed that the VIO has no lawful authority to carry out such enforcement actions, maintaining the position of Justice Evelyn Maha, who had earlier ruled that the agency lacked the legal powers to stop or seize vehicles or fine road users.
The court also awarded N1 million in costs against the VIO.
The original suit, filed by rights activist and public interest lawyer Abubakar Marshal, sought protection of motorists’ fundamental rights against what the court described as oppressive and unlawful practices by the VIO and its officers in Jabi, Abuja.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister was also listed among the respondents.
Justice Maha had issued a perpetual injunction restraining the VIO, its agents and officers from impounding vehicles or imposing fines, stressing that such actions violated citizens’ rights to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence and ownership of property.
With the appeal dismissed, the ruling now reinforces the prohibition and strengthens legal protections for motorists across the FCT against unauthorized enforcement activities by the VIO.