FCT Resident Drags AMAC to Court Over Vehicle Seizure
An Abuja resident, Salimon Abdulhakeem Abiodun, has filed a lawsuit against the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and its chairman over the arrest and confiscation of his vehicle.
In the suit 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 AMAC’s actions, seeking judicial interpretation of the council’s bye-laws.
The dispute revolves around whether private vehicle owners are subject to 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 that are not used for commercial purposes.
The case has gained public attention, with legal experts and motorists closely following how the court will interpret AMAC’s authority over private vehicle owners.
