Nigerian Court Curbs Police Fines on Vehicle Insurance

ABUJA, Nigeria - The Federal High Court in Abuja ruled on Friday that the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Road Safety Corps lack the authority to impose fines on motorists for violations of third-party motor vehicle insurance without a court order, upholding their powers only to enforce compliance.

Justice Hauwa Yilwa delivered the judgment in a suit filed by activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju against the Inspector-General of Police, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the FRSC. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/291/2025, was brought via originating summons under Section 17 of the Motor Vehicles (Third Party Insurance) Act of 1950, Sections 6, 8, and 4 of the Insurance Act of 2003, and provisions of the Federal Road Safety Commission (Establishment) Act of 2007.

Adeyanju sought declarations on whether the police could enforce third-party insurance requirements, impose fines without judicial oversight, and conduct such checks during routine stop-and-search operations without violating constitutional rights to privacy and freedom of movement. He also requested confirmation that enforcement powers rest exclusively with the FRSC and orders for perpetual injunctions to bar the...