by Nigerian News24 Correspondents
The Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri, Imo State, has ruled that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has no legal authority to seize drivers’ licences, vehicles, or related documents without proper legal justification.
This judgment was delivered in Appeal No: CA/OW/199/2022, filed by the FRSC, its Corps Marshal, and an officer identified by Uniform No. COSS 35, against Dr. Emmanuel Ugochukwu Shebbs.
The appellate court upheld an earlier ruling by the Abia State High Court, which found that such actions by the FRSC amounted to a violation of fundamental human rights.
In a unanimous decision, Justices Amina Audi Wambai, M. Lawal Abubakar, and Ntong F. Ntong confirmed that the FRSC was liable for the rights violation.
However, the court reduced the compensation previously awarded to Dr. Shebbs from ₦30 million to ₦10 million, covering both general and exemplary damages.
The case originated from a 2020 incident during the COVID-19 lockdown. Dr. Shebbs was stopped by FRSC officers on Bende Road in Umuahia. After finding no issue during an initial inspection, the officers allegedly demanded a bribe. When he refused, they conducted a second check, claimed one of his tyres was worn, and confiscated his driver’s licence while issuing a ₦3,000 fine.
Instead of paying the fine, Dr. Shebbs took the matter to the Abia State High Court, arguing that the seizure of his licence was unlawful and infringed on his fundamental rights.