We’ve powers to arrest traffic offenders – FRSC

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has denied rumors concerning the right to arrest traffic offenders.

“For the avoidance of doubt, there are reported Court of Appeal decisions to the effect that the FRSC has powers to arrest, issue notice of offence to suspected violators; and impound vehicles used to commit traffic offences.

There is no recent judgment of the FHC Lagos on the Tope Alabi case as is being circulated. What happened was that one Tope Alabi challenged the powers of the FRSC to arrest him and impound his vehicle and make him pay fines for offences alleged. The FHC presided over by Justice Tsohoheld that the FRSC had no such powers. This was in September 2014.

However, earlier in March, same year (2014), the same Justice Tsoho in the case of Bren Williams &Anor v FRSC had held that the FRSC had statutory powers to issue notice of offence, arrest and detain vehicles suspected to have been used to commit traffic offences.

The September 2014 judgment of Justice Tsoho, which has also been challenged, is the one currently being circulated on the social media by mischief makers.”