Following the recent judgement by the Federal High Court, The Conference of Directors and Chief Road Traffic Officers of the Federation has faulted the ruling which bars the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from impounding vehicles on the road.
The Court had delivered the judgement last week prohibiting the DRTS Officers also called VIO officers from stopping, confiscating vehicles, and imposing fines on traffic offenders.
A statement signed by the National Chairman of Conference of Directors and Chief Road Traffic Officers of the Federation (CDCRTOF), Engr. Paul Ugbe Bepeh, expressed shock over the court’s ruling.
“While we hold the Nigerian Judicial System in high esteem, we are deeply shocked and extremely disappointed by this ruling,” the statement read.
The group, therefore urged the FCT-DRTS to swiftly appeal the court’s decision, citing concerns over the potential impact on road safety and traffic management in the FCT.
This development comes amidst efforts to reduce road crashes nationwide. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said it recently recorded a 15.5% reduction in fatalities and a 14% decline in road traffic crashes in the first half of 2023.
The controversy surrounding the Federal High Court judgment highlights the ongoing debate over the role of VIOs in road traffic enforcement and the need for clarity on their powers and responsibilities.
Faulting the judgement in its entirety and informing that traffic law is solely a matter under the residual legislative list, where the Federal Government has no power, as it isn’t in the exclusive legislative list, the Executive Director, Accident Prevention and Rescue Initiative (APRI), Amb Fidelis Nnadi, also urged the agency and the Federal Capital Territory Ministry to appeal the judgement.
