Court Dismisses ₦506m Fundamental Rights Suit Against FRSC

The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has dismissed a ₦506.5 million fundamental rights enforcement suit filed against the Rivers State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) by Mr. Olamide Peter Ojo.

In Suit No. FHC/PH/FHR/304/2023, Ojo sought ₦506,505,000 in damages, alleging that his fundamental rights were violated during an incident at the FRSC Drivers Licence Centre (DLC) on Aba Road, Port Harcourt, on June 20, 2023, when he visited the facility for biometric capture as part of his driver’s licence application.

Court records showed that Ojo allegedly blocked the hallway leading to the DLC’s main office, preventing access to the facility. When FRSC personnel asked him to move, he reportedly became aggressive, assaulted one staff member and tore another officer’s uniform.

The records further indicated that after learning the FRSC intended to report the incident to the police, Ojo approached the Federal High Court, alleging that he had been assaulted, manhandled and tortured by personnel of the Corps.

The FRSC, however, denied the allegations in a counter-affidavit and urged the court to dismiss the suit.

Delivering judgment, Justice Patricia Ajoku held that Ojo failed to produce credible evidence to establish that his fundamental rights had been violated.

The court found that the evidence before it showed Ojo assaulted FRSC personnel without provocation and unlawfully obstructed access to the office, disrupting official activities.

Justice Ajoku further ruled that the actions of FRSC personnel were lawful, professional and necessitated by safety and security considerations.

After reviewing the submissions of both parties, the court upheld the FRSC’s position and dismissed all the claimant’s reliefs for lacking merit.