BREAKING: Appeal Court Declares VIO Illegal in Nigeria

• The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the ban on VIO vehicle seizures and awarded ₦1 million to rights lawyer Abubakar Marshal, marking a major victory for motorists.

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has upheld the ban stopping the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) from seizing vehicles or imposing fines on motorists.

The court also awarded ₦1 million in costs to Abubakar Marshal, the lawyer who initiated the case.

The development follows an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which declared the actions of VIO officers unlawful. In the October 2, 2024 judgment delivered by Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023, the court held that the Directorate of Road Services was not legally empowered to impound vehicles or issue penalties for traffic violations.

Justice Maha ruled that VIO officers “are not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound, confiscate vehicles of motorists or impose fines,” adding that such actions breached citizens’ rights to movement, property and presumption of innocence.

The judge issued a perpetual injunction restraining VIO officials and their agents from further vehicle confiscations or unlawful enforcement. The judgment was hailed as a major relief for millions of motorists who have long complained about harassment and extortion by VIO officers.

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The ruling, however, did not affect the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), which remains the legally recognised body responsible for road safety enforcement nationwide.

With the Appeal Court now upholding the decision and awarding compensation to Marshal, the case marks a significant legal victory and reinforces limits on VIO’s enforcement powers.

Details Later…