A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ruled that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) lack the authority to impose fines on motorists for violations related to third-party motor vehicle insurance.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Hauwa Yilwa held that while both agencies are empowered to enforce compliance by checking motorists, they cannot penalise offenders without recourse to the court.
The ruling followed a suit filed by activist-lawyer Deji Adeyanju against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), and the FRSC. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/291/2025, sought clarity on whether law enforcement agencies could enforce and sanction breaches of motor vehicle insurance laws.
Justice Yilwa drew a clear distinction between enforcement and sanctioning powers, affirming that only the courts have the authority to impose fines or penalties.
Counsel to the applicant, Marvin Omorogbe, welcomed the judgment, stating that it confirms that while the police and FRSC can ensure compliance, they cannot impose fines on motorists.
“The court restrained the IGP, the police, and the FRSC from imposing fines on Nigerians over motor vehicle insurance violations,” he said.
Reacting to the judgment, Adeyanju described it as a victory against arbitrary penalties imposed on motorists, noting that the case was instituted to protect citizens’ rights.
However, counsel to the defendants, Victor Okoye, expressed dissatisfaction with parts of the ruling and indicated plans to challenge it at the Court of Appeal. He argued that the suit was procedurally flawed and questioned the court’s jurisdiction.
Despite the disagreement, the court’s decision reaffirmed that law enforcement agencies retain the power to stop motorists and verify compliance with third-party insurance requirements, but must seek judicial backing before imposing any sanctions.
