Appeal court upholds judgment barring VIO from stopping and impounding vehicles

Appeal Court Upholds Judgment Barring VIO from Stopping and Impounding Vehicles

In a landmark decision delivered on December 4, 2025, the Court of Appeal in Abuja reaffirmed the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court that significantly curtails the powers of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), popularly known as the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO).

The appellate court upheld the October 4, 2024 judgment which barred the agency from stopping vehicles on the road, impounding or confiscating them, and imposing fines on motorists.

Justice Oyejoju Oyebiola Oyewumi, who read the lead judgment, declared that the appeal filed by the DRTS lacked merit. The three-member panel of the appellate court resolved all issues raised against the agency and awarded a cost of one million naira against the DRTS in favor of the respondent, rights activist and public interest lawyer Abubakar Marshal. This ruling not only reinforces the authority of the lower court but also strengthens the position of citizens who have long questioned the legality of the VIO’s enforcement practices.

The judgment carries far-reaching implications for traffic enforcement procedures within the Federal Capital Territory. By restricting the powers of the DRTS, the court has effectively shifted the responsibility for road enforcement actions away from the agency, raising questions about which institutions will now take the lead in ensuring compliance with traffic regulations.

For motorists, the decision represents a significant relief from what many have described as arbitrary stops, fines, and confiscations that often disrupted daily commuting and business activities.

Legal analysts view the ruling as a milestone in the protection of civil rights, emphasizing that enforcement agencies must operate strictly within the boundaries of the law. The case also highlights the growing role of public interest litigation in shaping governance and accountability in Nigeria.

Abubakar Marshal’s victory underscores how individual activism can challenge entrenched institutional practices and bring about systemic change.

The appellate court’s decision is expected to spark broader debates on road safety management, the role of traffic agencies, and the balance between enforcement and citizens’ rights.

While the ruling curtails the powers of the VIO, it leaves open the question of how traffic laws will be effectively enforced without infringing on motorists’ freedoms.

Policymakers may now be compelled to revisit existing frameworks and possibly reassign responsibilities to other agencies such as the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

This judgment marks a turning point in Nigeria’s traffic enforcement landscape. It signals a judicial commitment to protecting citizens from overreach by government agencies while reinforcing the principle that the rule of law must guide all regulatory actions