Amanze ChinonyeThe Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has lashed out at the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), describing the agency as a “cesspool of corruption and inefficiency,” and calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to initiate urgent reforms to restore professionalism and accountability in the corps.
In a statement issued on Sunday, HURIWA welcomed a recent judgment of the Court of Appeal in Owerri, which upheld a lower court ruling awarding ₦10 million in damages to Dr. Emmanuel Ugochukwu Shebbs for the unlawful harassment and rights violation he suffered at the hands of FRSC officials during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe rights group said the judgment exposed a long-standing culture of abuse and impunity within the FRSC, urging the Federal Government to introduce “comprehensive and compelling strategies” to reposition the agency.
The legal dispute dates back to an incident along Bende Road in Umuahia, Abia State, during the nationwide lockdown.
Dr. Shebbs, on an essential duty, was stopped at a checkpoint, where he was allegedly asked for a bribe after initially passing routine checks. Upon refusal, FRSC personnel reportedly re-inspected his vehicle, citing fresh infractions and later seized his driver’s licence, imposing a ₦3,000 fine without legal justification.
Rather than succumb to the pressure, Dr. Shebbs filed a suit at the High Court to assert his constitutional rights, a step HURIWA praised, noting that many Nigerians without access to legal resources often suffer in silence.
A three-member panel of the appellate court, led by Justice Amina Audi Wambai, upheld the lower court’s ruling, deeming the FRSC’s actions unconstitutional. While the initial ₦30 million in damages was reduced to ₦10 million, the court emphasized that seizure of vehicle documents without a court order constitutes a violation of fundamental rights.
“This judgment isn’t just personal,” Dr. Shebbs said after the ruling. “It’s about confronting a system where abuse by enforcement agencies is normalized. This sets a legal precedent and gives ordinary citizens hope.”
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Beyond the court case, HURIWA further accused the FRSC of widespread operational failures, particularly in the processing and issuance of driver’s licences. The group alleged that many Nigerians face long delays, often without updates, after paying for new or renewed licences.
“It is a notorious fact that whereas the FRSC has consistently failed to meet timelines for issuing driver’s licences, its officers are known for harassing road users and encouraging bribery,” HURIWA said. “This is symptomatic of an agency that has lost all elements of professionalism and discipline.”
HURIWA urged President Tinubu to direct the Corps Marshal of the FRSC to launch transparent internal reforms aimed at eliminating corruption and restoring credibility. The group also called for mass enlightenment campaigns to educate road users on safety, as well as collaborative efforts with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to reduce drug-related road accidents, especially among commercial drivers.
FRSC, HURIWA said, must do more than enforce traffic laws, it must become a beacon of safety, integrity, and public trust. The group concluded by reiterating its support for judicial interventions that protect citizens from institutional abuse and called on civil society to remain vigilant in the demand for accountability.
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