The Imo State Division of the Nigerian Court of Appeal has ruled that the seizure of a driver’s licence, vehicle, or related documents by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) without lawful justification constitutes a violation of fundamental human rights.

This was an upheld ruling from the High Court in Appeal No: CA/OW/199/2022, between the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the Corps Marshal, and an FRSC officer identified by Uniform No. COSS 35 (1st to 3rd Appellants) and Mr. Shebbs Emmanuel Ugochukwu (Respondent).

In a unanimous judgment delivered by Justices Amina Audi Wambai, M. Lawal Abubakar, and Ntong F. Ntong, the appellate court affirmed the FRSC’s liability but reduced the damages awarded to Mr. Ugochukwu from N30 million to N10 million, to cover general and exemplary damages for the rights violation.

The enrolled order was signed by Suobo Zuofa Esq. for Deputy Chief Registrar, made available to SaharaReporters on Monday, partly read: “This is an appeal against the Judgment of the High Court of Abia State, Aba Judicial Division, delivered on the 15th day of March, 2022, by Hon. Justice A.I. Nwabuogu (J) in Suit No: A/M/86/2021.

“On this Friday, the 27th day of June, 2025, upon reading the record of appeal herein and briefs of argument filed and exchanged by the parties in this appeal. And after hearing Amobi Nzelu Esq of Counsel for the Appellants and Ikechukwu D. Maduike Esq, for Counsel for the Respondent, it is hereby ordered that: ‘On the whole issues 1 and 2 having been resolved against the Appellant, the decision of the lower court adjudging the Appellants as having violated the fundamental human rights of the Respondent is affirmed.

“However, the appeal succeeds in part only with respect to the quantum of damages awarded against the Appellants. The sum of N30,000,000.00 awarded as general and exemplary damages is reduced to N10,000,000.00 only.”