The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld a lower court’s judgment, prohibiting the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), also known as VIO, from stopping, impounding, or confiscating vehicles on the roads and imposing fines on motorists. A three-member panel of justices ruled that the DRTS’s appeal was without merit, affirming the Federal High Court’s decision in October 2024.

The initial lawsuit was filed by Marshal Abubakar, an Abuja-based lawyer, after his vehicle was confiscated by DRTS officials without due process. The Federal High Court ruled in Abubakar’s favor, granting all reliefs sought and barring the VIO from further stopping, impounding, or confiscating vehicles and imposing fines on motorists. The court held that no law empowers the DRTS to take such actions, and that doing so is wrongful, oppressive, and unlawful.

The Court of Appeal’s decision reinforces the Federal High Court’s ruling, which also issued an order of perpetual injunction restraining the DRTS from violating Nigerians’ rights to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence, and right to own property without lawful justification. The appellate court awarded a cost of N1 million against the DRTS in favor of Abubakar.

The DRTS’s appeal was filed in response to the Federal High Court’s judgment, which awarded N2.5 million in costs against the defendants. The Court of Appeal’s ruling upholds the rights of motorists and clarifies the limits of the DRTS’s authority. The decision is significant, as it reinforces the rule of law and protects citizens from arbitrary actions by government agencies.

The case highlights the importance of due process and the protection of citizens’ rights in Nigeria. The Court of Appeal’s ruling sends a clear message that government agencies must operate within the bounds of the law and respect the rights of citizens. The decision is expected to have implications for the operations of the DRTS and other government agencies in Nigeria, and may lead to further reforms aimed at promoting transparency and accountability.