Court Bars FRSC From Enforcing Traffic Rules On Kano State

A Federal High Court in Kano has restrained the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) from enforcing traffic regulations on roads under the control of the Kano State Government and local government authorities.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice M. S. Shuaibu ruled that the FRSC exceeded its statutory powers by stopping, questioning and delaying motorists on township roads in Kano in July 2025.

The case was instituted by Kano-based lawyer, Abba Hikima, who challenged the actions of FRSC personnel after he and other motorists were stopped and asked to present their driving licences despite not committing any traffic offence.

Justice Shuaibu held that the conduct of the FRSC officers violated the constitutional rights of the affected motorists, particularly their rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement.

The court subsequently granted the reliefs sought by the plaintiff, including a perpetual injunction restraining FRSC officials from stopping, harassing or obstructing motorists on Kano State and local government roads without lawful authority.

In addition, the court ordered the commission to publish a public apology in a national newspaper and awarded the plaintiff 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 jurisdiction of state and local governments. The court upheld his position, ruling that the commission lacked the legal authority to carry out routine enforcement operations on such roads in Kano.