The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has upheld a ban on the Vehicle Inspection Office, VIO, declaring its operations illegal and awarding N1 million in costs to Abuja-based motorist Abubakar Marshal.
The ruling comes after a lawsuit filed by Marshal through the rights law firm Falana and Falana Chambers, challenging the authority of VIO officers to stop, impound, or fine vehicles.
Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha of the Federal High Court had previously ruled on October 2, 2024, that VIO officers were not empowered by law to confiscate vehicles or impose penalties on motorists. The Appeal Court confirmed this judgment, reinforcing that VIO’s actions violated citizens’ rights to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence, and lawful property ownership.
In her ruling, Justice Maha stated, “VIO officers are not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound, confiscate the vehicles of motorists and/or impose fines on motorists.”
The Court also issued a perpetual injunction restraining VIO, its agents, and affiliates from interfering with the rights of motorists across Nigeria. The ruling does not affect the Federal Road Safety Corps, which remains the nation’s primary and legally sanctioned road traffic enforcement body.
The decision is being hailed as a landmark judgment, offering relief to millions of motorists who have long complained about alleged harassment and excessive fines by VIO across the country.
