A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has issued a ruling declaring that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) lacks the legal mandate to enforce traffic regulations on roads controlled by the state or local governments. Justice M. S. Shuaibu delivered this verdict on Thursday, stating that the agency exceeded its jurisdictional authority during incidents in July 2025 where officers intercepted and interrogated drivers on township roads.
Local attorney Abba Hikima initiated the lawsuit after being stopped by FRSC personnel who demanded his driving documentation despite his lack of traffic violations. The presiding judge concluded that these actions infringed upon the constitutional rights of citizens regarding movement and personal liberty. Consequently, the court issued a permanent injunction barring the FRSC from stopping or bothering motorists on Kano state roads without proper legal authorization.
Beyond the injunction, the court mandated that the FRSC must issue a formal apology via a national newspaper. Furthermore, the agency was ordered to pay N800,000 to Hikima to cover legal fees and damages. The ruling reinforces the argument that the authority of the FRSC is strictly confined to federal highways, excluding routes maintained by regional authorities.
