A human rights activist and public interest lawyer, Abubakar Marshal, has warned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over the continued operations of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, known as VIO, despite a court order barring them from impounding vehicles and imposing fines.

Marshal, in a letter dated March 12 to the minister, warned that failure to comply within seven days would result in legal action.

A Federal High Court in Abuja had, on October 20, 2024, restrained the Directorate of Road Traffic Services from stopping vehicles on the road, impounding or confiscating vehicles, and imposing fines on motorists.

Justice Evelyn Maha issued the order in a judgment on a fundamental rights enforcement suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/202 declaring that the actions of the VIO either through their agents, servants, and assigns, from impounding, confiscating the vehicle of motorists, or imposing a fine on any motorist as doing so is wrongful, oppressive, and unlawful by themselves.

Despite the ruling, VIO officials have allegedly resumed operations, leading to confrontations with motorists.

Although the VIO has appealed against the judgment, the Appeal Court has yet to give its verdict on the matter.

However, Marshal, in his letter, accused the agency of openly defying the court’s order and also harassing motorists.

He added that there is video evidence to back his allegations.

Marshal said, “Sadly, the officials of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services in utter violation of binding and subsisting orders, have resumed the stoppage, impounding, confiscation of cars and the imposition of fines within the FCT.

“We have been inundated with calls over the renewed illegal activities of the VIO within the FCT and have moved around the capital city to confirm their illegal operations, which have led to violent confrontations between some of these officials and vexed motorists. Video evidence abound.”

He further emphasized that as a senior member of the legal profession, Wike must ensure that agencies under his authority do not act in “egregious and contemptuous disdain of an express order of the court.”

Marshal said, “As a senior member of the legal profession, we are perturbed that officials under your command and authority could embark on such egregious and contemptuous disdain of an express order of court.

“On account of the foregoing dear minister, you are hereby required to employ the instrumentality of your good offices to restore compliance with the foregoing positive and binding orders pending the final determination of the appeal and cross-appeal processes.

“Please note that upon failing to comply with the foregoing request, seven days commencing from the date of receipt of this letter, we shall take all legal steps to commit you to prison for contempt of the orders of the court.

‘Whilst anticipating your cooperation and understanding, please accept my esteem and professional regards.”

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has accused the Federal Government of plotting to persecute the former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and other opposition figures in the country.

In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Amb. Rufus Aiyenigba, the SDP alleged that the government has concluded plans to file criminal charges against the former governor following his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) earlier this week.

El-Rufai dumped the APC for APC on Monday.

The party also alleged that the government planned to stop the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from leaving Nigeria.

The statement read: “The SDP has received reliable information that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is concerned about the momentum of our party.

“In response, the APC has leveraged its governmental control to fabricate criminal charges against our members.

“Our sources revealed that the persecution will commence with one of our prominent leaders, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.

“The government is planning to file multiple charges against him in Abuja and Kaduna imminently.

“In preparation for this, we have also learned that the federal government has instructed its agencies to prevent Mallam Nasir El-Rufai from leaving the country.”

The Rivers State House of Assembly has adjourned its sittings indefinitely.

The decision to adjourn legislative duties indefinitely was reached during plenary, presided over by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, in Port Harcourt on Friday.

The development comes hours after the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, wrote to the Speaker, informing him of his intention to visit the House to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill for consideration and approval.

The governor, in a letter dated March 13 and addressed to the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, said he intends to present the budget on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, or any other day within March that the House may deem fit.

Fubara said his decision is in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment and in response to the lawmakers’ request for him to re-present the budget.

He recalled the bitter experience of visiting the Assembly Quarters with his entourage, where the lawmakers were temporarily sitting to present the budget, but he was denied access to the complex.