Re: Urgent Demand for Legal Advisory to Imo State Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) to Comply with Binding Court of Appeal Judgments, Dismantle Illegal Roadblocks, and Cease Unlawful Operations on Imo Roads
I write to you as a social engineer deeply committed to upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the fundamental rights of our citizens. Over the recent months, I have witnessed and documented numerous instances where state agencies overstep their bounds, infringing on the freedoms enshrined in our Constitution.
Today, I am compelled to address the persistent and egregious misconduct by the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) in Imo State, which not only defies established judicial precedents but also erodes public trust in governance. As the chief law officer of the state, your office bears the solemn responsibility to intervene decisively, and I urge you to do so without delay.
The facts are incontrovertible and alarming. For want of space and time, I will give only two instances. On 16 July 2025, one Dr. Chijioke Agbaka was unlawfully stopped by VIO officers at Ogbaku, subjected to an invasive vehicle inspection, and fined N30,000.00 merely because his windscreen water reservoir was empty. It took my intervention on said date to descalate the situation. This was no isolated incident.
On 28 November 2025, a certian lawyer, Ikenna Ndukwe, was detained for 45 minutes along Chukwuma Nwoha Road under the pretext of a similar inspection. These actions are part of a broader pattern where VIO officers mount roadblocks at notorious locations such as Ogbaku (near the Federal Road Safety Corps office), Chukwuma Nwoha Road, Nwaoriubi Road, and others, harassing motorists, extorting fines, and impeding free movement. Such practices are not only oppressive but also blatantly illegal, as affirmed by multiple court judgments.
I draw your attention to the landmark decision of the Court of Appeal in Asaba in Kunle Edun v. Governor of Delta State & Ors., which unequivocally held that VIO officers have no legal authority to conduct roadside inspections, stop vehicles, or impose fines on highways. The court restricted their functions to designated offices for purposes like vehicle license renewals, emphasizing that any highway operations infringe on citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of movement under Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). This precedent is binding.
Furthermore, a recent judgment from the Court of Appeal in Abuja, delivered on appeal from the Federal High Court, has reinforced this position. In a unanimous ruling led by Justice Oyejoju Oyebiola Oyewumi, the court dismissed an appeal by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and VIO, affirming that VIO lacks any statutory power to stop, impound, confiscate vehicles, or fine motorists. The court described these actions as “oppressive, unlawful, and constituting a breach of fundamental rights,” awarding N1 million in damages to the human rights lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, who challenged them.
As Attorney-General, it behoves your office to act as the guardian of justice and legality in Imo State. Under Section 211 of the 1999 Constitution, you are empowered and indeed obligated to provide sound legal advice to state agencies, ensuring their operations align with the law. Failing to advise VIO to dismantle these illegal roadblocks would not only perpetuate violations of citizens’ rights but also expose the state to needless litigation, financial liabilities, and reputational damage. Your proactive intervention now would demonstrate Imo State’s commitment to the rule of law, foster public confidence, and prevent the escalation of grievances into more severe conflicts.
This brings me to a pressing inquiry: Why do agencies in Imo State so frequently act ultra vires, operating beyond their legal mandates as if unchecked? This pattern is not new. Recall the Imo State Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRACO), which rampantly misbehaved; harassing residents and overreaching its environmental enforcement role until the intervention of the Governor led to its disbandment. Such decisive action restored order and protected citizens. Yet, we see echoes of this in the ongoing misconduct by Tigerbase, another agency notorious for arbitrary actions that defy oversight and breed resentment.
Why must Imo State continually be a breeding ground for such unchecked excesses? Is it a lack of internal mechanisms, inadequate training, or willful disregard for due processd? These questions demand answers, and your office, as the apex legal advisor, must lead the charge in reforming this systemic flaw to prevent Imo from becoming synonymous with institutional overreach.
I implore you, Honourable the Attorney-General, to issue immediate legal advice to VIO, directing them to obey these court judgments by dismantling all roadblocks and ceasing roadside inspections forthwith. This is not merely a request; it is a call to uphold the sanctity of our democracy and protect the vulnerable from state-sponsored harassment.
Should VIO persist in these illegal operations 14 days after the receipt of this letter, I shall have no choice but to institute a public interest suit against them in the appropriate court, seeking declaratory reliefs, injunctions, and damages to vindicate the rights of Imo residents. Such litigation, while necessary, could be avoided through your timely action, sparing the state resources and averting the kind of escalation we are witnessing with Tigerbase, where public outcry is on the rise.
Let us choose the path of wisdom and justice. By acting now, you can prevent further breaches, honour the judiciary’s wisdom, and reaffirm Imo State’s dedication to good governance. The eyes of the citizenry are upon you; history will judge us by how we protect the freedoms we profess to cherish.
I await your swift response and action.
Yours in the service of justice,
Chinedu Agu
Solicitor & Notary Public
Past Secretary, NBA Owerri
10 December 2025
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