In a major legal victory for human rights advocacy, the Court of Appeal has affirmed a High Court ruling awarding ₦10 million in damages to Dr. Emmanuel Shebbs, following the unlawful harassment and seizure of his vehicle documents by operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown in Abia State.
The incident occurred along Bende Road in Umuahia, when Dr. Shebbs, who was on government-approved essential duty, was stopped by FRSC officers. Although initial checks cleared him, the officers allegedly solicited a bribe. Upon his refusal, citing a lack of cash, they reportedly fabricated new offences, accused him of having worn-out tyres and no spare, confiscated his driver’s licence, and issued an arbitrary ₦3,000 fine.
Rather than yield, Dr. Shebbs took legal action, filing a suit to enforce his fundamental rights. The High Court initially awarded ₦30 million in damages, which was later adjusted to ₦10 million by the appellate court.
In its landmark judgment, the Appeal Court ruled that FRSC lacks the legal authority to seize drivers’ licences or vehicle documents without a court order, declaring the act a violation of constitutional rights. The judgment has been hailed as a precedent-setting blow against institutional abuse.
“This victory is not about the money,” Dr. Shebbs told All Facts Newspaper. “It’s about confronting the normalized impunity in our system. I had options, but I stood my ground for the ordinary Nigerian who doesn’t.”
He vowed to circulate the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment to aid lawyers across the country in similar human rights battles, calling it his contribution to the rule of law in Nigeria.
Dr. Shebbs also extended gratitude to his legal counsel, Mr. Madike Esq., as well as supporters and rights advocates including Augustine Iheanacho Okechukwu, Solomon Oguh, Inibehe Effiong, Benjamin Ifeanyi Apugo, and Donatus Egbu.
He urged Nigerians to resist institutional injustice through lawful means: “If you follow the rule of law, there’s still hope in the Nigerian judiciary.”
Leave a comment