Appeal Court Affirms Ruling Stopping VIO from Fining Motorists, Impounding Vehicles

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has upheld a ruling that bans the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) from stopping motorists, seizing vehicles or imposing fines, reaffirming that such powers are not granted by law.

The decision, released on Thursday by a three-member panel, dismissed the VIO’s appeal as lacking merit and affirmed the earlier judgment delivered by the Federal High Court which had voided the VIO’s enforcement actions.

The original case was filed by rights lawyer Abubakar Marshal, who brought the suit after VIO officials allegedly stopped him at Jabi District in Abuja on December 12, 2023, impounded his vehicle and seized his documents.

The High Court had ruled that the VIO lacked statutory authority to stop, impound or fine motorists, declaring the actions unlawful, oppressive and in breach of fundamental rights including freedom of movement, property rights and presumption of innocence under the Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

In its judgment, the Appeal Court described the conduct of VIO and its agents as unlawful and issued a perpetual injunction restraining the agency from further undertaking such powers.

The court held that only a court of competent jurisdiction may impose sanctions or fines upon motorists. As a result of the vindication, the court awarded damages and costs in favour of the plaintiff.

Observers say the ruling is a significant affirmation of motorists’ rights and a legal reminder that road-traffic enforcement must operate within statutory frameworks and respect citizens’ constitutional guarantees.