Nigeria, Dec. 7 -- An Abia State-based rights group, the Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS) has hailed the unanimous decision by a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, affirming the ban against the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, also known as Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) from impounding, confiscating, or imposing fine on motorists.

The ruling upheld an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja, delivered on October 3, 2024, by Justice Nkeonye Maha, which held that the VIO and other defendants are not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound, or confiscate motorists' vehicles, nor to impose fines on them.

In its lead judgment, delivered by Justice Oyejoju Oyebiola Oyewu...