A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has ruled that the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has no legal authority to operate on state and local government roads, declaring its activities on township roads within Kano metropolis unlawful.
The judgment was delivered on Thursday by Justice M. S. Shuaibu, who held that FRSC officials exceeded their statutory powers when they stopped, questioned and delayed motorists on township roads in Kano in July 2025.
According to the court, the commission’s actions violated the constitutional rights of motorists to personal liberty and freedom of movement as guaranteed under Sections 35 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution.
Justice Shuaibu granted all the reliefs sought by the applicant, Kano-based lawyer, Abba Hikima, who challenged the legality of the commission’s operations on roads under the control of the state and local governments.
As part of the judgment, the court issued a perpetual injunction restraining FRSC personnel from stopping, harassing or interfering with motorists on Kano State roads without lawful authority.
The court also directed the commission to publish a public apology in a national newspaper for its actions.
In addition, Justice Shuaibu awarded the applicant ₦800,000 as damages and cost of the suit.
The case arose from an incident in July 2025 when Hikima questioned the legality of FRSC checkpoints on township roads, arguing that the commission’s statutory responsibilities are limited to federal highways and do not extend to roads under the jurisdiction of state and local governments.
The court agreed with his position, ruling that the commission acted outside the powers granted to it by law.
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