Court Strips FRSC of Powers to Operate on State, Local Government Roads

In a landmark judgment that could redefine the operational scope of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) across Nigeria, a Federal High Court in Kano has ruled that the agency has no legal authority to enforce traffic regulations on roads under the control of state and local governments. The ruling, delivered on Thursday, July 16, 2026, by Justice M. S. Shuaibu, declared that FRSC personnel acted unlawfully when they stopped, questioned, and delayed motorists on township roads within the Kano metropolis in July 2025. The court held that such actions constituted a violation of citizens’ fundamental rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Shuaibu ruled that the FRSC’s enabling law restricts the corps’ operations to federal highways only, and does not extend its jurisdiction to roads owned and managed by state governments or local government councils. The judgment came in response to a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Abba Hikima, a Kano-based lawyer who was stopped by FRSC operatives at a checkpoint on a township road in July 2025. According to court documents, the operatives demanded to see his driver’s licence and questioned him despite the fact that he had committed no traffic offence. Dissatisfied with what he described as harassment and an abuse of power, Hikima approached the Federal High Court, arguing that the FRSC had overstepped its statutory mandate.

In his ruling, Justice Shuaibu held that the FRSC’s actions breached Section 35 (Right to Personal Liberty) and Section 41 (Right to Freedom of Movement) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The judge noted that stopping motorists without reasonable cause, detaining them for questioning, and demanding documents without lawful authority amounted to an infringement on the constitutional guarantees enjoyed by every Nigerian citizen.

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Consequently, Justice Shuaibu granted all the key reliefs sought by the applicant, including a perpetual injunction restraining FRSC officials and their agents from stopping, harassing, detaining, or interfering with motorists on Kano State roads without lawful authority. The court also directed the FRSC to publish a public apology to Mr. Abba Hikima in a national newspaper within a specified timeframe, and awarded ₦800,000 in damages and litigation costs in favour of the applicant, payable by the FRSC.

This Kano ruling is not the first judicial decision to limit the FRSC’s operational territory. In 2019, a Federal High Court in Warri delivered a similar judgment, restraining the corps from operating on state and local government roads and imposing a ₦10 million fine on the agency. That earlier ruling, delivered by Justice E. Nwite in Suit No. CA/AS/276/2019, has since become a legal precedent frequently cited by lawmakers and legal practitioners challenging the FRSC’s continued presence on non-federal roads. Most recently, in November 2024, a lawmaker in the Enugu State House of Assembly moved a motion to stop FRSC operations on state and local roads, explicitly referencing the 2019 Warri judgment as the legal basis for arguing that the corps’ actions were unauthorized and undermined state sovereignty.

The Kano judgment effectively reaffirms that the FRSC’s statutory powers, as derived from its enabling Act, are confined to federal trunk roads. For motorists on state and local government roads, this means they cannot be lawfully stopped or fined by FRSC officers. For state governments, the ruling provides a legal foundation to restrict or prohibit FRSC operations within their territories. For the FRSC itself, the judgment may compel a re-evaluation of its enforcement strategies, requiring the corps to focus its resources strictly on federal highways. However, legal experts have noted that the FRSC has previously appealed similar rulings, and it remains to be seen whether the corps will challenge this latest judgment at the Court of Appeal.

According to the court records, the legal battle began in July 2025 when FRSC operatives mounted checkpoints on several township roads across Kano State, stopping motorists indiscriminately and demanding driver’s licences and vehicle documents. Mr. Hikima, who was among those stopped, maintained that he had not committed any traffic violation. He argued that the FRSC officers had no legal basis to detain him or demand his documents, as the road in question was not a federal highway. The court agreed with his submissions, noting that the FRSC’s enabling law does not grant the corps jurisdiction over roads under the control of state or local governments.

Legal analysts have described the judgment as a victory for constitutionalism and rule of law, while also raising concerns about the potential for jurisdictional confusion on Nigerian roads. One Lagos-based constitutional lawyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the judgment reinforces the principle that statutory agencies must operate strictly within the bounds of their enabling laws, and that the FRSC cannot arrogate to itself powers that the law does not expressly grant. He however noted that this also creates a regulatory vacuum on state roads, which state governments must now fill with their own traffic management agencies.

While the judgment is binding, its practical implementation will depend on whether the FRSC decides to appeal. If the corps accepts the ruling, it will be required to cease all enforcement activities on non-federal roads in Kano State, publish the court-ordered apology, and pay the ₦800,000 damages awarded to Mr. Hikima. Should the FRSC appeal, the matter will proceed to the Court of Appeal, where a higher court will have the final say on the jurisdictional limits of the corps.

This ruling is expected to reignite a national conversation about the division of powers between the federal government and the state governments in regulating road traffic. With 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) managing thousands of kilometres of roads, questions are emerging about who is responsible for traffic enforcement on these routes and whether state governments should establish or strengthen their own traffic agencies. Some states, including Lagos, already operate their own traffic management authorities, such as the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) , while others rely heavily on the FRSC even on state-owned roads.

Court Strips FRSC of Powers to Operate on State, Local Government Roads

Auto Industry Heavyweights, Top Regulators Converge for Nigeria Summit on EV, CNG Future

Leading automobile manufacturers, transport regulators and key government agencies have confirmed participation in the 2026 Nigeria Auto Industry Summit(NAISU), underscoring growing industry support for Nigeria’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered transportation.

Among the major industry players backing this year’s summit are Weststar Associates Limited, Toyota (Nigeria) Limited, Jetour Nigeria, Carloha Nigeria, Simba Group, Cedric Masters Group, Coscharis Motors, Lanre Shittu Motors etc.

Policymakers, investors, financial institutions, fleet operators and technology providers are also expected at the event being organised by Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) in collaboration with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC).

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has confirmed his participation as a keynote speaker and is expected to address issues bordering on road safety, regulation and the deployment of EVs and CNG-powered vehicles in Nigeria.

Also confirmed as guest speakers are the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Osanipin, and the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG and EV), Ismaeel Ahmed.

They are expected to provide insights into the Federal Government’s automotive industrialisation agenda, clean mobility policies and ongoing efforts to accelerate the adoption of EVs and CNG-powered vehicles across Nigeria.

The third edition of the summit will hold on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at the Radisson Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

The theme of this year’s event is: “Nigeria’s Clean Mobility Future: The EV and CNG Journey Under the Bola Tinubu Administration.”

Chairman of the 2026 Auto Summit Planning Committee, Rasheed Bisiriyu, said the event comes at a critical period as Nigeria intensifies efforts to drive cleaner transportation through the adoption of electric vehicles and compressed natural gas.

According to him, the summit will bring together government officials, automotive manufacturers, regulators, energy experts and transport stakeholders to assess ongoing reforms and develop practical strategies for advancing the country’s clean mobility agenda.

“The summit comes at a critical period when Nigeria is implementing policies aimed at reducing transportation costs, lowering carbon emissions and encouraging greater investment in alternative energy mobility solutions,” Bisiriyu said.

He added that discussions would review the progress made under the Bola Tinubu administration in promoting EV and CNG adoption while identifying policy, infrastructure and financing gaps requiring urgent attention.

According to him, participants will also examine strategies for expanding EV charging infrastructure and CNG refuelling stations, promoting local vehicle assembly, improving consumer awareness, attracting private sector investment and strengthening the regulatory framework needed to support sustainable transportation.

Bisiriyu noted that the summit is designed to move beyond policy conversations by generating practical recommendations capable of accelerating Nigeria’s transition to cleaner mobility.

Also speaking, NAJA Chairman, Theodore Opara, said the annual Auto Summit has evolved into one of Nigeria’s foremost automotive policy dialogue platforms, bringing together government institutions and private sector operators to address critical issues affecting the industry’s growth.

According to Opara, achieving Nigeria’s clean mobility objectives requires broad collaboration among regulators, manufacturers, energy providers, transport operators, safety agencies and consumers.

He said, “We are bringing together regulators, manufacturers, energy providers, transport operators, safety agencies and consumers because the transition to clean mobility requires collective action.

“The objective is not only to discuss policy but also to identify practical solutions that will accelerate Nigeria’s journey towards affordable, cleaner and more sustainable transportation.”

Organisers said the summit is expected to generate actionable recommendations to support the Federal Government’s drive to deepen investment in alternative fuel technologies, strengthen local automotive manufacturing, improve transport sustainability and position Nigeria as a leading player in Africa’s emerging clean mobility ecosystem.

With participation already confirmed by leading automotive brands, regulators and other key stakeholders, the 2026 NAISU is shaping up to be one of Nigeria’s most influential gatherings on the future of the automotive industry and the country’s transition to cleaner, more sustainable mobility.

Carloha Nigeria Unveils Nationwide 6-6-7 Rescue Service, Extends Free Roadside Assistance Beyond Chery Owners

Carloha Nigeria, the authorised distributor of Chery vehicles in Nigeria, has launched the CarlohaCare 6-6-7 Rescue Initiative, a nationwide emergency roadside assistance programme aimed at providing prompt and professional support to motorists stranded by vehicle breakdowns on highways and major roads across the country.

The 24-hour rescue service, which is available through a dedicated emergency hotline, reinforces the company’s commitment to enhancing vehicle ownership by ensuring that trained rescue professionals are on standby to respond to emergencies whenever they occur.

The auto firm says motorists in need of assistance can reach the CarlohaCare Rescue Team by calling 07000 667 667, after which a professionally trained crew will be dispatched to provide support.

While response times would depend on location and road accessibility, the company assured that every distress call would receive professional attention.

The rescue programme is the latest addition to Carloha Nigeria’s award-winning CarlohaCare 6-6-7 aftersales package, which earned the company the Most Outstanding Aftersales Car Company award at the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) Awards.

The package offers a six-year manufacturer’s warranty, six years of free scheduled maintenance and a seven-day repair promise.

Under the repair guarantee, customers are provided with a courtesy vehicle if repairs extend beyond seven working days due to parts availability or other qualifying circumstances.

The new rescue initiative now takes that commitment beyond the workshop to the roadside.

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Speaking on the development, Carloha Nigeria’s After-sales Manager, Samson Akinbowale, said the initiative was designed to give motorists greater confidence by ensuring help is always within reach.

“Vehicle breakdowns can occur unexpectedly and often create stressful situations for motorists. With the CarlohaCare 6-6-7 Rescue Initiative, our customers can enjoy peace of mind knowing that a dedicated team of trained professionals is available around the clock to provide prompt assistance whenever they need it,” he said.

Akinbowale added that the programme also includes on-location maintenance support to minimise vehicle downtime for both individual motorists and fleet operators.

Also speaking, the company’s General Manager, Marketing, Felix Mahan, described the initiative as another milestone in Carloha Nigeria’s customer-focused strategy.

“The CarlohaCare 6-6-7 Rescue Initiative is an extension of our vision to provide a superior ownership experience and eliminate the worries that come with vehicle ownership. We want every Chery owner to know that help is always just a phone call away,” Mahan said.

In a move the company described as an industry first in Nigeria, Carloha Nigeria announced that for a limited period, the free roadside rescue service would also be available to owners of non-Chery vehicles, subject to operational capacity. Chery owners, however, will continue to receive priority during periods of high demand.

According to Mahan, the decision reflects the company’s commitment to improving road safety and supporting the wider motoring community.

“We have the team, the trucks and the expertise. When our rescue fleet has spare capacity, it is our responsibility to deploy those resources to keep Nigeria’s roads moving, regardless of the vehicle brand. By extending this service beyond our customers, we are contributing to safer roads and setting a new benchmark for aftersales support in the Nigerian automotive industry,” he said.

Non-Chery motorists requiring assistance can call the same emergency hotline to confirm eligibility at the time of request. The company also advised motorists to follow its official social media platforms and website for updates on service availability and coverage areas.

Beyond emergency rescue and towing, the initiative provides on-location maintenance and technical support for individual motorists and fleet operators, where applicable. Carloha Nigeria said the service is expected to reduce workshop visits, minimise vehicle downtime and give motorists greater peace of mind on Nigerian roads.

Carloha Nigeria Unveils Nationwide 6-6-7 Rescue Service, Extends Free Roadside Assistance Beyond Chery Owners