Court bans VIO activities in Nigeria

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has declared that the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) cannot legally stop, seize, or fine motorists in Nigeria.

The court also awarded Abubakar Marshal N1 million as costs.

This decision follows an earlier ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which found that VIO officers had no legal authority to confiscate vehicles or impose fines.

Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha delivered the judgment in October 2024 after Marshal, represented by rights lawyer Femi Falana, challenged the actions of the road traffic agency.

The judgment clarified that only the Federal Road Safety Corps has lawful powers to enforce traffic rules, while the VIO has no legal basis to stop vehicles or punish motorists.

Justice Maha also issued a permanent injunction preventing the VIO and its agents from interfering with citizens’ rights to move freely and own property without lawful cause.

The court held that the actions of VIO officers violated constitutional rights, including the right to property, fair hearing, and presumption of innocence.

Marshal had requested ₦500 million in damages and a public apology, but the court awarded him ₦2.5 million.

The VIO, its director, former Abuja area commander, and other officials listed as respondents had appealed the Federal High Court ruling, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, upholding the ban on the agency’s operations.

This ruling brings relief to motorists across the country who have long faced harassment from the VIO, confirming that its officers cannot impose fines or seize vehicles without legal authority.