A Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) cannot impose on-the-spot fines on motorists for failure to present valid third-party motor insurance, stating that only a court has the legal authority to impose penalties.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Hauwa Yilwa in a suit filed by activist-lawyer Deji Adeyanju against the Inspector-General of Police, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the FRSC, held that while both agencies are empowered to stop vehicles and verify insurance compliance, they have no authority to collect fines or impose punishment without court involvement.
The court drew a clear legal line between enforcement and punishment, affirming that police and FRSC officers may check documents and identify violations but must refer offenders to a competent court for any sanction. It further restrained both agencies from imposing fines on motorists for insurance-related offences.
Adeyanju said the ruling achieves the purpose of the case, describing roadside fines as arbitrary and widespread. His lawyer also confirmed that the court agreed that enforcement is lawful, but roadside punishment is not.
The defendants, however, disagreed with parts of the ruling and announced plans to appeal, arguing that the suit was improperly filed and that the court lacked jurisdiction.
If upheld, the judgment could significantly change how traffic and insurance enforcement is handled in Nigeria, ending the common practice of roadside fines and requiring all penalties to go through the judicial system.
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