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The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, does not have any legal authority to seize drivers’ licences, vehicles, or related documents without lawful justification.
This was the decision of the Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri, Imo State, in Appeal No: CA/OW/199/2022, filed by the FRSC, the Corps Marshal, and an officer identified by Uniform No. COSS 35 (as 1st to 3rd Appellants), against Dr. Emmanuel Ugochukwu Shebbs (Respondent).
The High Court of Abia State had earlier ruled that such seizures violated the fundamental human rights.
The Court in a unanimous by Justices Amina Audi Wambai, M. Lawal Abubakar, and Ntong F. Ntong held that the FRSC was liable for rights violation.
However, it slashed the damages awarded to the respondent from N30 million to N10 million, covering general and exemplary damages.
The FRSC officers had stopped Shebbs along Bende Road in Umuahia, an incident in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown.
According to the plaintiff, the officers demanded a bribe even after inspecting his car and finding no fault.
His refusal to oblige them led to a second inspection, and claimed that his tyre was worn out. Subsequently, they seized his driver’s licence and issued a N3,000 booking.
However, Shebbs approached the High Court in Abia to seek redress, contending that seizure his driver’s licence was illegal and violated his fundamental rights.
