The Federal Capital Territory High Court has barred the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) from arresting or confiscating private vehicles that are not being used for commercial purposes on Abuja roads.
In a suit filed by the FCT resident, Salimon Abdulhakeem Abiodun through his counsel Qousim Opakunle Esq. against the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and its chairman over the arrest and confiscation of his vehicle or any other private vehicles not being used for any commercial purposes while using Abuja roads within the territory of the Abuja Municipal Area Council.
Justice Y. Halilu delivered the judgment on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, in suit No: CV/1157/2025, ruling in favour of the claimant and restraining the council from further such actions.
“Consequently judgement is hereby entered for the claimant against the defendants as follows;
“An order of this honourable court prohibiting the Defendants, their agents, partners, subordinates from arresting the claimant`s vehicle or any other private vehicles not being used for any commercial purposes while using Abuja roads within the territory of the Defendants is hereby ordered,” the judge ruled.
The court also held that the earlier seizure of the claimant’s vehicle violated his constitutional rights.
“A declaration that the arrest and confiscation of the Claimant`s car with Chasis Number 5TDZA23C75S264195 and registered with private plate number KWL-63CE is unlawful, oppressive and clear violation of Claimant fundamental right to own a private property,” the court held.
Justice Halilu further ruled that the fees collected from the claimant by the council were illegally imposed.
“A declaration that the forceful collection of the sum of N50,000 (fifty thousand naira only) on 11th January 2023, N50,000 (fifty thousand naira only) on 8th of February 2024 and sum of N20,000 (twenty thousand naira only) on 3rd of March 2025 from the Claimant by the Defendants for Mobile Advert fees and Daily and Yearly Ticketing fees are illegal, oppressive and amount to extortion,” the judgment stated
The court ordered the defendants to immediately refund N120,000 to the claimant and also awarded N2.5 million in general damages in his favour.
Abiodun had approached the court in March last year, seeking, among other reliefs, an interpretation of AMAC bye-laws and protection from what he described as unlawful enforcement against private vehicle owners.
