THE Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), also known as the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), has suspended vehicle impoundment and fine issuances in Abuja following a Federal High Court’s ruling that challenged the legality of its enforcement methods.
The suspension resulted from the court’s judgment on October 2, which ruled that the VIO lacked the authority to stop vehicles or impose penalties on motorists.
According to PREMIUM TIMES, the acting spokesperson of the agency, Funmi Oguntala, confirmed the suspension and stated that the agency had filed an appeal against the judgment, with a court hearing scheduled for November 5.
“For now, DRTS is only handling traffic control. We will resume enforcement if the appeal is successful,” she told the newspaper.
The ICIR reported that the FHC in Abuja barred the VIO from stopping vehicles, confiscating them, and imposing fines on motorists.
Delivering the judgement in case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023 on Wednesday, October 2, the judge, Nkeonye Evelyn Maha, held that no law empowered the respondents to carry out such activities.
The judgement was given following a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by a human rights activist and lawyer, Abubakar Marshal, before the court.
The order also binds the minister of the Federal Capital Territory,(FCT), the director of Road Transport, and the area commander, Jabi.
Furthermore, a restraining order was issued by the court against the respondents to stop them and their agents from impounding or confiscating vehicles or imposing fines, declaring such actions as improper, illegal, and oppressive.
The court issued a perpetual injunction to uphold Nigerians’ rights to their freedom of movement, presumption of innocence, and right to own property.
According to reports, the VIO has impounded 9,389 vehicles for various traffic offences between January and August this year in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The DTRS head of public relations and enlightenment, Kalu Emetu, said in an interview that drivers of the impounded vehicles were usually sent to a driving institute as penalties.
He also noted that the institute’s officers might even be stricter by withdrawing the license of a driver who tends to be a danger to other road users.
The agency faces criticism for alleged abuse of power, with officers accused of unlawfully imposing fines and seizing vehicles.
A reporter with the ICIR
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