FCT Resident Drags AMAC to Court Over Vehicle Seizure

By Our Correspondent

An Abuja resident, Salimon Abdulhakeem Abiodun, has taken legal action against the Abuja Municipal Area Council and its chairman over the arrest and confiscation of his vehicle.

In a lawsuit filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abiodun argues that the seizure of his car, along with alleged extortion by AMAC officials, violates his fundamental right to own private property.

His counsel, Qousim Opakunle, is challenging the legality of the council’s actions, seeking a judicial interpretation of its bye-laws.

The dispute centers on whether a private vehicle owner is required to pay fees under AMAC’s Commercial Vehicles Picking Up Passengers Bye-law and Regulation of Mobile Advertisement Bye-law.

Abiodun claims AMAC forcefully collected N50,000 in 2023, N50,000 in 2024, and N20,000 in 2025 from him without legal backing.

He is asking the court to declare the confiscation of his car illegal and oppressive, order a refund of the N120,000 allegedly extorted, and prohibit AMAC from impounding private vehicles without commercial use.

The case has sparked public interest, with legal experts and motorists closely watching how the court will interpret AMAC’s authority over private vehicle owners.