Federal High Court Bars AMAC from Arresting Private Vehicle Owners in Abuja
Federal High Court Limits AMAC’s Powers Over Private Vehicles in Abuja
A Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) from arresting or impounding private vehicles on roads within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The ruling, delivered in Abuja, clarifies the limits of local government enforcement powers and underscores the primacy of statutory authority in road traffic administration.
The court held that AMAC lacks the legal mandate to stop, arrest, or confiscate private vehicles operating on public roads in the FCT. The decision follows a legal challenge to the council’s enforcement activities, which motorists and legal practitioners argued exceeded its constitutional and statutory powers.
Legal Boundaries of Local Government Enforcement
The dispute centres on whether AMAC, as one of the six area councils in the FCT, possesses authority under Nigerian law to enforce traffic-related regulations against private motorists on federal roads.
In its ruling, the court determined that such powers fall outside the council’s statutory jurisdiction. Under Nigeria’s constitutional framework, local governments exercise authority only within clearly defined limits. Road traffic enforcement in the FCT is primarily overseen by federal agencies and designated transport authorities operating under federal legislation.
Legal analysts note that the judgment reinforces a fundamental principle of administrative law: public authorities must act strictly within the scope of powers granted by statute. Any action beyond that scope is subject to judicial review and nullification.
Implications for Motorists and Regulatory Agencies
For private vehicle owners in Abuja, the ruling provides immediate relief from enforcement actions previously carried out by AMAC officials. Motorists had raised concerns about arrests, fines, and vehicle impoundments conducted under the council’s directives.
The judgment does not invalidate traffic laws or compliance requirements within the FCT. Instead, it delineates enforcement responsibility. Federal agencies such as the Nigeria Police Force and other statutorily empowered bodies retain authority to enforce road safety and traffic regulations.
Policy experts argue that clarity in enforcement jurisdiction reduces regulatory overlap and mitigates compliance uncertainty. For investors and transport operators, regulatory predictability remains a critical factor in assessing operational risk within urban markets such as Abuja.
Governance and Institutional Oversight
The decision arrives amid broader scrutiny of revenue-generation practices among local councils. Area councils often rely on internally generated revenue to supplement federal allocations. Enforcement activities, including fines and levies, can form part of that revenue base.
However, the court’s ruling signals that fiscal pressures do not justify actions beyond statutory competence. Judicial oversight serves as a safeguard against administrative overreach and protects constitutional order.
According to publicly available constitutional provisions governing the FCT, legislative authority ultimately resides with the National Assembly, while executive functions are exercised through the FCT Administration. Area councils operate within delegated responsibilities and must align enforcement actions with federal law.
Broader Policy Context
Urban governance in Abuja has grown increasingly complex as vehicle ownership rises and traffic density intensifies. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics indicate sustained growth in vehicle registrations nationwide over the past decade, reflecting rising urban mobility demands.
As traffic management becomes more critical, coordination among federal, territorial, and local institutions will remain central to effective urban administration. Legal clarity on jurisdictional boundaries reduces duplication of authority and strengthens institutional accountability.
Conclusion
The Federal High Court’s order barring AMAC from arresting private vehicle owners on Abuja roads establishes a clear judicial boundary on local government enforcement powers in the FCT. While traffic regulation remains firmly in place, enforcement must align with statutory mandates.
For policymakers, the ruling reinforces the need for institutional coherence in urban governance. For motorists and transport stakeholders, it restores regulatory certainty and affirms the rule of law as the foundation of public administration in Nigeria’s capital.
