The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Thursday, affirmed the judgment of a Federal High Court which stopped the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, also known as VIO, from further stopping, impounding, or confiscating vehicles on the road and imposing fines on motorists.

The appellate court, in the judgment delivered by Justice Oyejoju Oyebiola Oyewumi, held that the case of the VIO was lacking in merit.

“I find no iota of merit in this appeal; the decision of the lower court is hereby affirmed.

“Cost of N1 million is awarded against the appellant,” the appellate court held.

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Recall that Justice Evelyn Maha of the Federal High Court had, in a judgment in a fundamental rights enforcement suit last year, issued an order restraining the VIO from impounding or confiscating the vehicles of motorists and/or imposing fines on any motorist.

The judge predicated her decision on the grounds that the appellants lacked the necessary legal backing to stop, impound, or confiscate vehicles and/or impose fines on motorists.

While the suit was filed by a rights activist and public interest lawyer, Mr Abubakar Marshal, the order is said to bind the Director of Road Transport, the Area Commander, Jabi, and the Team Leader, Jabi, as well as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), all listed as respondents in the case.

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The judge held that the first to the fourth respondents, who are under the control of the fifth respondent (FCT minister), are not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound, or confiscate vehicles and/or impose fines on motorists.

The trial judge had subsequently issued an order restraining the first to the fifth respondents, either through their agents, servants, and/or assigns, from impounding or confiscating the vehicles of motorists and/or imposing fines on any motorist, adding that doing so is wrongful, oppressive, and unlawful.

The judge also issued an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents, whether by themselves, agents, privies, allies, or anybody acting on behalf of the first respondent, from further violating the rights of Nigerians to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence, and the right to own property without lawful justification.

Dissatisfied, the Directorate of Road Traffic Services appealed the judgment of the trial court but lost.

Multiple vehicles clashed on the Enugu–Portharcourt Expressway on Wednesday, claiming the lives of many near the New Gariki Market.

The collision, which caused panic among traders and passers-by, involved four trailers loaded with cattle and other goods, two commercial buses, two Sienna vehicles, and several smaller cars trapped beneath the fallen articulated trucks.

As of reporting time, the casualty figure remained unknown, but the extent of destruction suggested a significant loss of lives.

Traders from the nearby Gariki Market were seen desperately trying to lift heavy tyres and metal debris to rescue survivors. Many wailed helplessly as they struggled to free trapped victims.

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One trader recounted: “People were driving one-way at speed. Before we knew it, trailers and vehicles collided, and everything scattered.” He blamed motorists for driving against traffic on the newly reconstructed lane of the expressway.

The situation escalated until about 20 soldiers arrived in four gun trucks and a Black Maria. They immediately began controlling traffic and creating passage for stranded motorists, as the crash had forced all vehicles onto the only usable lane.

No other authorities were present at the scene, and there has been no official statement regarding the number of casualties or the cause of the accident.

Kogi State government has confirmed the death of six persons in a road crash along the Lokoja–Okene road.

A statement from the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, on Wednesday night said, “The Kogi State Government regrets to announce a tragic accident involving a bus conveying some of our citizens who were returning from the commemoration of the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities held earlier today at the Government House, Lokoja.

“The unfortunate accident, which occurred along the Lokoja–Okene road, claimed six precious lives. Thirteen others sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving medical attention at different health facilities across the state.”

Fanwo stated that the tragedy has brought profound sorrow to the government and people of Kogi State.

“We mourn deeply with the families of the deceased and extend our heartfelt condolences to them during this painful and devastating moment. The loss of any Kogite is a loss to us all, and we stand in solidarity with the affected families and communities. This is indeed a dark day in our history.”

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“His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, has directed that the State Government take full responsibility for the medical care of all injured persons until they fully recover. Government officials have been deployed to the various hospitals to ensure that the victims receive the best possible treatment and to provide support to their families.

“Our hearts are with the families who lost their loved ones, as we consider this a state tragedy of devastating magnitude.

“As we collectively grieve, we ask for prayers for the repose of the souls of the departed and for the quick recovery of the injured. May God grant the bereaved families the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” he said.

In another development, suspected bandits, on Wednesday morning, launched another deadly attack on Irunda Ile in Yagba East LGA of Kogi State, leaving two residents dead, while policemen allegedly killed another two residents in a clash between the police and protesting youths of the community.

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The Guardian gathered that when security operatives arrived at the village over the bandits’ attack, the youth leader insisted that the police must enter the bush to pursue the bandits.

A community leader, Bobagunwa of Irunda Isanlu, Chief (Engr) David Oni Sunday, told The Guardian on the phone that there was an attack by bandits, which led to the death of two vigilantes.

He noted that when the police arrived, they were reluctant to chase the bandits, which led to the confrontation with the community youths.

“From there, they mistakenly killed two youths, while others were also hospitalised following the tear gas they received from the police. In all, four people were killed in our village this morning. Two vigilantes were killed by the bandits and two other persons were mistakenly killed by the police,” he stated.

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Meanwhile, the Security Adviser to Kogi State Government, Commander Jerry Omadora (Rtd), also confirmed the incident to journalists in Lokoja.

He said the bandits invaded the community in the early hours of Wednesday and killed two vigilantes who confronted them during the attack, adding that it was unfortunate that the youths who ought to assist the security agencies in fighting the bandits did something else.

“Security men were drafted to Yagba to chase the bandits away. Even those bandits occupying our mine site have been neutralised by the security men. Kogi State government will not allow any criminals in the state. We are working very hard to see that Kogi State is safe for everyone.

“Some few days ago, a helicopter was drafted to those areas and we recorded major success. The bandits were neutralised by the security men. We are not going to rest until we are able to neutralise the bandits completely,” the Security Adviser stated.