An Ibadan-based lawyer, Barrister Abiodun Amole, has advised the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to warn its officers against stopping motorists on township roads in Oyo State.
Amole made this declaration via a statement made available to Newspot on Monday.
Our correspondent, who went around some parts of Ibadan, reports that FRSC officers have, over the years, been operating on township roads within the ancient city.
Newspot gathered that FRSC officers have been stopping and checking motorists in areas such as Polytechnic Ibadan gate, Oyo State Housing Corporation at Bodija, Elewure in Sango, Agbarigo, Aare at Bodija, Apata, Dugbe, and J. Allen, all within the Ibadan metropolis.
However, Amole has described these operations as illegal.
In the statement, the lawyer explained that the FRSC can only operate on federal highways, being a federal agency, and not on state roads within the town.
He added that the Asaba Division of the Court of Appeal had unequivocally stated this in its judgment in Appeal No. CA/AS/276/2019, delivered on 17th July 2023, wherein it affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court, Warri.
Amole further lamented that it is unfortunate that FRSC personnel have continued to operate on state roads within Oyo State at will.
He noted that they are often seen operating illegally at locations like Apata, Ring Road, Agbarigo, and J. Allen in Ibadan.
Amole added that the rule of law must be strictly adhered to by all in a democratic society like Nigeria.
He said, “Could you please, sir, draw the attention of the management of the Federal Road Safety Commission to the fact that the commission can only operate on federal highways, being a federal agency, and not on state roads within the town? The Asaba Division of the Court of Appeal had unequivocally stated this in its judgment in Appeal No. CA/AS/276/2019, delivered on 17th July 2023, wherein it affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court, Warri.”
“Unfortunately, FRSC personnel have continued to operate on state roads within Oyo State at will. One keeps seeing them daily at Apata, Ring Road, Agbarigo, and J. Allen in Ibadan, where they operate illegally.”
“This is very wrong and has to stop. The rule of law must be strictly adhered to by all in a democratic society such as ours. Twice now, they have stopped me at J. Allen, and I have always informed them that their presence in that place is illegal, as it is not a federal highway, but they have continued this sheer illegality.”
Amole also pointed out that Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) continue to stop and harass private vehicle owners, even though their authority extends only to commercial vehicles requiring hackney permits. He referenced a ruling by the Court of Appeal in Kunle Edun v. Governor of Delta State that affirmed this position.
“Please, sir, let’s join hands to safeguard the sanctity of the rule of law in our society. I’m sending this to you, sir, because of your unalloyed passion for the development of our fatherland. Thank you, sir,” he concluded.
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