Court restrains FRSC from enforcing traffic rules on Kano State roads
Kano Court Limits Federal Road Safety Corps’ Authority
KANO, Nigeria — A Federal High Court in Kano has ruled that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) lacks legal authority to enforce regulations on state and local government roads within the state.
In a judgment delivered Thursday, Justice M.S. Shuaibu determined that FRSC officials acted beyond their jurisdiction when they stopped and questioned motorists on township roads in July 2025.
The case arose from a complaint filed by local attorney Abba Hikima, who argued that FRSC officers unlawfully requested driving licenses from him and other motorists despite no traffic violations having occurred.
Justice Shuaibu stated that the actions of FRSC officers infringed on the constitutional rights of motorists, including personal liberty and freedom of movement.
The court granted several of Hikima’s requests, including a permanent injunction restraining FRSC officials from detaining or harassing motorists on roads under the jurisdiction of Kano State without appropriate legal authority.
Additionally, the court ordered the FRSC to issue a public apology in a national newspaper and awarded Hikima N800,000 in damages and legal costs.
Hikima contended that the FRSC’s authority is confined to federal highways and does not extend to roads managed by state or local governments.
