A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has ruled that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) lacks the legal authority to operate on state and local government roads, declaring the commission’s enforcement activities on township roads within Kano metropolis unlawful and a violation of motorists’ fundamental rights.
The judgment, delivered by Justice M. S. Shuaibu, followed a suit filed by Kano-based lawyer Abba Hikima, who challenged the legality of FRSC officials stopping, questioning and delaying motorists on township roads despite the absence of any alleged traffic offence.
The court held that the actions of the FRSC officers exceeded the powers granted to the commission under the law and infringed on the applicant’s constitutional rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement as guaranteed under Sections 35 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution.
As part of its ruling, the court issued a perpetual injunction restraining the FRSC, its officers, agents and representatives from further stopping, harassing, questioning or delaying motorists on Kano State roads without lawful authority.
Justice Shuaibu also ordered the commission to publish a public apology to the applicant in a national newspaper and awarded ₦800,000 in damages and costs for the violation of his constitutional rights.
The case stemmed from an incident in July 2025 when FRSC operatives mounted checkpoints on township roads across Kano metropolis and demanded drivers’ licences from motorists, including Hikima, despite no primary traffic offence being alleged. The applicant argued that the commission’s statutory mandate is limited to federal highways and does not extend to roads under the control of state or local governments—a position upheld by the court.
