A Federal High Court in Abuja has barred the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) from imposing fines on motorists for third-party motor insurance violations without a court order.
Justice Hauwa Yilwa delivered the judgment in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/291/2025, filed by activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and FRSC.
The court ruled that while the agencies can enforce compliance with motor vehicle insurance laws, they lack the power to penalise offenders directly.
In her ruling, Justice Yilwa distinguished between enforcement and sanctioning powers, affirming that police and FRSC can verify compliance but must seek court intervention for penalties.
Marvin Omorogbe, counsel to the applicant, stated: “The police and road safety may enforce compliance but outrightly lack powers to impose fines on third parties or vehicle owners.”
He said the court restrained the IGP, police and FRSC from imposing fines on motorists.
The suit invoked the Motor Vehicles (Third Party Insurance) Act, Insurance Act and FRSC (Establishment) Act.
Adeyanju told journalists after the judgment that the ruling addressed arbitrary fines on motorists.
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“The sole reason we came to court was for a positive declaration that police and road safety cannot impose fines over motor vehicle insurance. We have succeeded,” he said.
Victor Okoye, counsel to the defendants, described the judgment as partly favourable and announced plans to appeal.
Okoye argued the suit was incompetent, commenced via originating summons, and that the IGP was sued instead of the Nigeria Police Force as a legal entity.
He noted, however, that the court affirmed police and FRSC powers to stop vehicles and verify third-party insurance compliance.
