Court Has Empowered Us To Fine Motorists – FRSC

Court Has Empowered Us To Fine Motorists – FRSC.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says the court of appeal has empowered it to fine motorists who commit traffic offences.

Bisi Kazeem, spokesman of corps, said this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

In 2014, a federal high court in Lagos voided the powers of the FRSC to impose fines on motorists for traffic offences.

Tope Alabi, a lawyer, approached the court to declare that only a court of competent jurisdiction could pronounce a person guilty under section 10 (4) and 28 (2) of the FRSC act 2007.

According to Kazeem, the verdict of the court “is no longer the law as several other pronouncements of the Court of Appeal have overridden that decision which was, with due respect, reached per incuriam”.

• See Also: FRSC Denies The Production And Issuance Of “Chip Whip” Number Plate

“In FRSC V Emmanuel Ofoegbu CA/L/412/ 2014 the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos, overruled the judgment of the Federal High Court in Emmanuel Ofoegbu v FRSC and held that the FRSC (Establishment) Act, 2007 and the NRTR 2012 were valid laws,” Kazeem said.

“Also, in FRSC v Okebu Gideon Esq. v FRSC-CA/IL/50/2014, the Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin held that the Notice of Offence Sheet issued by FRSC does not run counter to Section 36 of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999, as amended.

“Also, in Barr. Moses Ediru v FRSC & 2 ORS-CA/J/226/2010, the Court of Appeal sitting in Jos held that the fines which the law gives FRSC the nod to enforce do not, in the least derogate from the judicial powers of the Courts as enshrined in Section 10(7)(a) of the FRSC (Establishment) Act, 2007 and Regulation 113 of the NRTR, 2012.”

He also added that those “brandishing” the recycled report are “mischief makers”.

“While assuring the public that FRSC and its operatives will continue to perform within the ambits of the law, we seize the opportunity to seek the understanding and collaboration of all citizens as we strive to evolve a safer road environment in Nigeria,” the spokesman said.

• See Also: FRSC Clears The Air On Using Google Map While Driving