220
Daniel Adaji
Despite a standing court order restraining the Directorate of Road Transport Services (DTRS) also known as Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) from operating on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) roads, the agency’s officers have returned.
From Bwari Area Council to Abuja Municipal, Garki and beyond, residents have lamented the activities of VIO personnel at checkpoints daily, halting traffic and demanding vehicle papers.
Their action contravenes an October 2, 2024 ruling by Justice Evelyn Maha of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which declared such operations illegal and unconstitutional.
In her judgment, Justice Maha ruled that the VIO, under the control of the Minister of the FCT, has no authority to stop, impound, or fine motorists.
She stated the agency’s actions as “wrongful, oppressive, and unlawful.” The ruling came after a suit filed by human rights lawyer, Abubakar Marshal, who challenged the legality of the VIO’s road operations.
“The 1st (Directorate of Road Traffic Services) to 4th Respondents under the control of the 5th Respondent (Minister of the Federal Capital Territory) are not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound, or confiscate the vehicles of motorists and/or impose fines on motorists,” the court stated.
Pointblanknews.com observed multiple VIO checkpoints across the city during the week, where officers were actively stopping vehicles.
When contacted to clarify whether the court order had been vacated, VIO spokesperson Kalu Emeto replied, “I’m in a meeting and can’t talk now.” A message sent to him afterward was not responded to as at the time of filing this report.
Residents have expressed frustration. “On my way to work this morning, the VIO guys stopped me and demanded papers. They later asked me to deposit N5000 because according to them, some of my particulars are not complete. I was held on the road for several hours and eventually got to work hours late,” said Duru Samson, a commuter in Abuja.
Others lamented the traffic congestion the stops are causing. “There’s always a hold-up anytime they mount these roadblocks. It’s frustrating,” a taxi driver at Wuse junction told our reporter.
The October 2024 court judgment included a perpetual injunction restraining the VIO and its agents “from further violating the rights of Nigerians to freedom of movement, the presumption of innocence, and the right to own property without lawful justification.”