The High Court of Akwa Ibom State on Friday, 8th October, 2021, delivered judgment in a fundamental rights enforcement suit no. HU/FHR/171/2021 filed by EDIDIONG AKPANUWA, ESQ on behalf of the Applicant to the effect that vehicle inspection officers (VIO) acting on the instructions of the Akwa Ibom State Government cannot by virtue of section 36 of the Constitution, assume the powers and/or functions of the court to impose penalties and impound vehicles of a person alleged to have committed traffic offence.
The court declared such action by the VIO as unconstitutional.
Accordingly the court ordered the Government of Akwa Ibom State and the Ministry of Transport to;
1) immediately return to the Applicant the sum of N5,000 naira illegally collected as penalty for alleged breach of traffic regulations.
2) to pay to the Applicant N500,000 naira as general damages.
3) N1,500,000 Naira as exemplary damages and
4) N80,000 as cost of the action.
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