The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has barred the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) from arresting or impounding privately owned vehicles not engaged in commercial activities within its jurisdiction.
The ruling followed a suit filed by Abuja resident, Salimon Abdulhakeem Abiodun, who challenged what he described as unlawful actions by AMAC officials, including the seizure of his private vehicle and the imposition of multiple levies.
Abiodun, represented by his lawyer, Qousim Opakunle, contended that AMAC’s actions violated the rights of private vehicle owners and sought judicial protection for motorists operating personal vehicles.
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, in Suit No. CV/1157/2025, Justice Y. Halilu ruled in favour of the claimant and issued a restraining order against AMAC.
“Judgment is hereby entered for the claimant. An order is made prohibiting the defendants, their agents, partners, and subordinates from arresting the claimant’s vehicle or any other private vehicle not used for commercial purposes on roads within the defendants’ territory,” the judge held.
The court further declared that the earlier seizure of Abiodun’s vehicle, with chassis number 5TDZA23C75S264195 and private plate KWL-63CE, was unconstitutional and amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights.
Justice Halilu also described the monetary charges imposed on Abiodun as illegal and extortionate. “The forceful collection of N50,000 on January 11, 2023, N50,000 on February 8, 2024, and N20,000 on March 3, 2025, by the defendants for mobile advert fees and ticketing is unlawful, oppressive, and amounts to extortion,” the court ruled.
The court ordered AMAC to refund a total of N120,000 to Abiodun and awarded him N2.5 million as general damages.
Abiodun had filed the suit in March 2025, seeking an interpretation of relevant AMAC bye-laws and protection for private vehicle owners against what he described as unlawful revenue enforcement practices by the council.
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