The Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri, Imo State, has affirmed a High Court judgment awarding ₦10 million in damages against the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for the unlawful harassment of Dr. Emmanuel Ugochukwu Shebbs during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.

The legal dispute, which has spanned over five years, stemmed from an incident along Bende Road in Umuahia, Abia State. Dr. Shebbs, who was on official movement during a government-approved lockdown exemption day, was stopped by FRSC personnel. After initially passing routine checks, he was allegedly asked for a bribe. When he declined, the officers purportedly re-inspected his vehicle and cited new infractions, including worn-out tyres and the absence of a spare tyre.

Despite identifying himself and explaining the nature of his essential movement, his driver’s licence was confiscated, and a fine of ₦3,000 was imposed without formal legal backing. Rather than comply with the demand or rely on personal influence, Dr. Shebbs filed a lawsuit at the High Court to assert his constitutional rights—emphasizing that many Nigerians without access to such privileges often suffer in silence.

Delivering judgment, a three-member panel of the appellate court led by Justice Amina Audi Wambai upheld the ruling of the lower court, describing the conduct of the FRSC officers as illegal and a violation of the applicant’s fundamental rights. The court emphasized that the seizure of vehicle documents or a driver’s licence without due process is unconstitutional.

The High Court had initially awarded ₦30 million in damages, which the Appeal Court reviewed and affirmed at ₦10 million.

“This judgment isn’t just personal,” Dr. Shebbs stated after the ruling. “It’s about confronting a system where abuse by enforcement agencies is normalized. This sets a legal precedent and gives ordinary citizens hope.”

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