Appeal court upholds judgment barring VIO from stopping and impounding vehicles

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the October 4, 2024 judgment of the Federal High Court that barred the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), popularly known as the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), from stopping vehicles on the road, impounding or confiscating them, or imposing fines on motorists. Delivering judgment on Thursday, December 4, a three-member panel of the appellate court resolved all three issues raised for determination against the appellant, the Directorate of Road Traffic Services. Justice Oyejoju Oyebiola Oyewumi, who read the lead judgment, held that the appeal lacked merit and affirmed the decision of the lower court. She also awarded a cost of N1 million against the DRTS in favour of the respondent, rights activist and public interest lawyer Abubakar Marshal. The decision marks a significant reinforcement of the earlier ruling, which had restricted the powers of the DRTS regarding road enforcement actions traditionally carried out by the agency. The appellate courts judgment is expected to have far-reaching implications for traffic enforcement procedures in the Federal Capital Territory.