A Federal High Court in Kano has ruled that officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have no legal authority to enforce traffic regulations on state and local government roads in Kano State.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice M. S. Shuaibu held that the FRSC acted beyond its statutory powers when its officers stopped, questioned and delayed motorists on township roads in July 2025.
The suit was filed by Kano-based lawyer, Abba Hikima, who challenged the actions of FRSC officials after they allegedly stopped him and other motorists to demand their driving licences despite no traffic offence having been committed.
Justice Shuaibu held that the officers’ actions violated the constitutional rights of the motorists to personal liberty and freedom of movement.
The court granted the reliefs sought by the plaintiff, including an order permanently restraining FRSC officials from stopping, harassing or delaying motorists on Kano State and local government roads without lawful authority.
The court also directed the commission to publish a public apology in a national newspaper.
In addition, Justice Shuaibu awarded Hikima N800,000 as damages and legal costs.
Hikima had argued that the FRSC’s enforcement powers are limited to federal highways and do not extend to roads under the control of state or local governments.
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