The Human Rights Committee of the Nigerian Bar Affiliation (NBA), Bwari Department, has raised the alarm over what it described because the illegal return of Automobile Inspection Workplace (VIO) operatives to main roads throughout the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), regardless of a transparent Federal Excessive Courtroom order barring them from such actions.
In a press release signed by Chairperson Anayisi Agnes Fashe-Omuya and Secretary M.O. Idam, the Committee stated it was shocked to watch VIO officers as soon as once more stopping automobiles, inspecting motorists and issuing fines—actions the court docket had categorically outlawed.
The Committee referenced the judgment in Go well with No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023 — Mr Marshal Abubakar v. Directorate of Street Visitors Companies & 4 Ors., the place the court docket ordered the VIO to instantly withdraw from FCT highways and stop all highway enforcement operations.
In line with the NBA Bwari Human Rights Committee, the continued presence of VIO operatives on the roads represents a blatant disregard for the judiciary and a troubling problem to the rule of regulation.
To deal with what it referred to as a “disturbing breach”, the Committee stated it has formally written to the VIO Directorate demanding full compliance with the subsisting judgment. The letter instructs the company to drag its officers off the roads directly.
The Committee warned that if the VIO fails to conform inside seven days, it’ll file contempt proceedings in opposition to the Directorate and pursue each obtainable authorized choice to implement the court docket’s ruling.
Reasserting its resolve to defend the rights of FCT motorists, the Committee warned that society dangers descending into “anarchy and chaos” when authorities companies select which court docket orders to obey.
It urged related authorities to behave swiftly, respect judicial authority and restore public confidence in lawful governance.
Justice Evelyn Maha of the Federal Excessive Courtroom in Abuja, whereas presiding over go well with FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023 filed by human rights lawyer Abubakar Marshal, dominated that VIOs haven’t any constitutional or statutory authority to cease automobiles, impound them, or levy fines.
“No regulation empowers the VIO… to cease, seize, confiscate, impound or effective drivers,” the judgement acknowledged, granting a perpetual injunction in opposition to the Directorate of Street Visitors Companies and its officers within the Federal Capital Territory.
Whereas the ruling was welcomed by Abuja motorists, Lagos authorities have maintained that the court docket’s resolution doesn’t lengthen to the state. Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, cited the Transport Sector Reform Legislation of 2018, which explicitly empowers VIOs in Lagos to implement visitors laws and impose penalties. “The Abuja Federal Excessive Courtroom judgment doesn’t apply in Lagos State. Motorists in Lagos are suggested to adjust to the regulation and cooperate with the VIO,” Osiyemi stated.
