FRSC Under Fire for Seizing Perishable-Goods-Laden Vehicles Without Court Order

By Inemesit Friday

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is under growing criticism after traders in Calabar staged a protest on Monday over the detention of a vehicle carrying fresh pepper, garden eggs, and groundnuts.

The protesters, mostly market women, said the vehicle was intercepted last week by FRSC operatives and towed to the sector command office after the driver allegedly refused to “do the needful.” Since then, the perishable goods have been left to rot under the sun.

“Our livelihood is gone. Even if they keep the driver, they should have released the goods,” lamented Mrs. Ekaette Effiong, one of the traders, as chants rang out at the sector command gates.

The incident has reignited debate over a 2024 Federal High Court ruling in Abuja, which held that the FRSC has no legal authority to impound vehicles without a valid court order. In that landmark judgment, Justice Ibrahim Salisu described such seizures as unlawful and cautioned the agency against violating citizens’ rights.

Despite the ruling, similar incidents persist nationwide. In Abuja, a bus loaded with fresh produce was held over a seatbelt violation, leading to spoilage. In Kaduna, traders blocked a major highway after three trucks were seized for alleged overloading without verification. In Ogun State, a motorist won ₦2 million in damages after his car was detained for three weeks over a cracked windscreen.

Human rights lawyer Barr. Iniobong Akpan described the Calabar case as “a textbook example” of FRSC overreach.
“This is exactly the lawlessness the court warned against,” he said. “If the FRSC refuses to obey the law, they should be ready to face the consequences.”

FRSC officials in Calabar declined to comment when approached by our reporter.