PRESS RELEASE
5th December, 2025
Aba, Abia State/Nigeria
CEHRAWS WELCOMES LANDMARK APPEAL COURT RULING DECLARING VEHICLE INSPECTION OFFICE (VIO) ENFORCEMENT ILLEGAL — CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE CEASE OF VIO HARASSMENT IN ABIA STATE AND NATIONWIDE
The Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS) commends the unanimous decision by a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, which affirmed the earlier judgment of the Federal High Court that declared the enforcement activities of the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), including stopping motorists, impounding or confiscating vehicles, and levying fines, illegal and without statutory backing.
In its lead judgment, delivered by Justice Oyejoju Oyebiola Oyewumi, the Court held that the appeal by VIO lacked merit. The ruling confirms that VIO officers possess no legal authority under any extant law to stop, seize, impound, confiscate or fine motorists for alleged traffic offences, actions which the court found oppressive, unlawful and constituting a breach of fundamental rights. The Court awarded ₦1 million in costs against VIO.
CEHRAWS therefore issues the following directives and alerts:
✓ To all VIO operatives across Nigeria, and especially those currently roaming the roads of Aba, Abia State: You are hereby put on formal notice: the enforcement tactics of VIO have been declared null and void. Continuation of road-blocks, random vehicle stops, impounding or confiscation of vehicles, or imposition of fines under the guise of “traffic enforcement” amounts to unlawful harassment and will be regarded as an abuse of civil and human rights.
✓ To the government of Abia State, relevant law enforcement agencies, and security authorities: You are urged to take immediate cognisance of this binding court ruling. VIO’s activities should be suspended forthwith in Abia, pending a review of their legal mandate. Enforcement agents should cease collaborating with or facilitating VIO operations to avoid complicity in rights violations.
✓ To motorists in Abia State and across Nigeria: You have a court-backed right to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence, property ownership, and protection from unlawful seizure. Should any VIO official attempt to detain, impound, or fine your vehicle, you are encouraged to demand lawful justification and, where violated, seek legal redress.
✓ To media, civil society, and human rights stakeholders: We call on you to amplify and publicise this ruling widely, to ensure Nigerians are aware of their rights and to deter further abuse by illegal enforcement agents.
CEHRAWS affirms that this judgment represents a major victory for the rule of law and civil liberties in Nigeria. We commit to monitoring compliance and will not hesitate to support victims of VIO harassment in seeking justice.
Signed:
Okoye, Chuka Peter
Executive Director, CEHRAWS
cehraws@gmail.com | +234(0)808-035-1242.
