The Court of Appeal in Owerri has ruled that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) lacks the legal authority to seize drivers’ licences or vehicles without lawful justification
The Court of Appeal in Owerri has ruled that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) lacks the legal authority to seize drivers’ licences or vehicles without lawful justification. In the case CA/OW/199/2022, the court upheld a prior High Court ruling in favour of Dr. Shebbs Emmanuel Ugochukwu, affirming that such seizures violate fundamental human rights. The three-member panel reduced the original N30 million award to N10 million in damages.
The case originated in 2020 during COVID-19 lockdowns, when Ugochukwu was stopped by FRSC officials who allegedly demanded a bribe and seized his licence after he declined. “At that moment, I had no cash on me, so literally, I had no ‘something’ to give,” he stated.
Rather than comply or leverage his connections, Ugochukwu chose legal redress. “The Appeal Court has ruled that Road Safety does not have the right to seize documents and properties of road users unless they intend to charge you to court,” he said. “I wanted justice.