A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has restrained the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) from stopping, harassing, interrogating or delaying motorists on Kano township roads outside its statutory jurisdiction.
The judgment was delivered on Thursday by Justice M. S. Shuaibu in a fundamental human rights suit filed by a Kano-based lawyer, Abba Hikima.
Hikima had approached the court after alleging that FRSC officials unlawfully stopped, searched and interrogated him and other motorists on roads within Kano metropolis.
In the ruling, the court held that the actions of the commission’s personnel were unlawful and granted a perpetual injunction restraining the FRSC, its officers, agents and representatives from further stopping, harassing, interrogating or delaying the applicant or any other motorist on Kano State roads without lawful authority.
The court declared: “An order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st Respondent, whether by itself, its officers, agents, servants, privies, or through the 2nd Respondent or any other person whatsoever, from further stopping, harassing, interrogating, or delaying the Applicant or any other motorist on Kano State roads without lawful authority, and in violation of their fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.”
Justice Shuaibu also ordered the FRSC to publish a public apology in a national newspaper.
The court further awarded N800,000 as damages and costs in favour of the applicant.
Reacting to the judgment, Hikima described the ruling as a landmark victory for the rule of law, insisting that the commission must comply with the court’s order.
“Take it from me, this time it’s not going to be business as usual. We will not allow the FRSC to rest until this judgment is obeyed,” he said.
