Court Bars FRSC Officials From State Roads

The Court of Appeal sitting in Asaba, Delta State, has affirmed a Federal High Court judgment restricting the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) from carrying out enforcement activities on state and local government roads across Nigeria.

The appellate court dismissed the FRSC’s appeal and upheld the earlier decision, which declared that the commission’s statutory powers are limited to federal highways.

The judgment arose from a suit filed by legal practitioner Darlington Ugo-Ehikim, who challenged the legality of the agency’s operations on roads under the control of state and local governments.

The original Federal High Court ruling, delivered in 2019, restrained the FRSC from operating outside federal highways and awarded ₦10 million in costs against the commission.

The Court of Appeal agreed with the lower court’s position, effectively reinforcing the restriction.

In response, the FRSC announced its intention to challenge the ruling at the Supreme Court, stating that it would seek a stay of execution while awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment.

The agency maintained that its mandate under the FRSC Act empowers it to promote road safety nationwide and argued that the legal issues raised require final judicial interpretation.

The ruling has generated widespread debate among legal experts and road safety stakeholders.

While some believe the judgment strengthens constitutional boundaries between federal and state powers, others warn that restricting the FRSC’s presence on state roads could affect coordinated traffic enforcement and road safety efforts, especially in states without fully developed traffic management agencies.

For motorists, the decision highlights the evolving legal framework surrounding traffic law enforcement in Nigeria.

Until the matter is conclusively resolved by the Supreme Court or through legislative action, the scope of the FRSC’s authority remains a subject of legal interpretation.

RoadKing Safety Insight

Regardless of which agency is enforcing traffic regulations, motorists should continue to obey speed limits, wear seat belts, avoid distracted driving, and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy.

Responsible driving remains the most effective way to reduce crashes and save lives.