FRSC Rejects Allegations of ‘Mobile Court of Injustice’ in Abia, Vows to Uphold Transparency

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

Rights Activist Alleges Abuses, FRSC Reacts

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The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has strongly refuted claims that its Mobile Court sitting in Ubakala, Abia State, operates unjustly or outside the rule of law.

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A report by a human rights advocate, Mr Okoye Chuka Peter of the Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS), alleged that the FRSC had turned the court into what he called a “Mobile Court of Injustice,” accusing officials of imposing arbitrary fines and disregarding legal standards.

A convoy of blue vehicles associated with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on a road, with people observing in the background.

In response, the Corps, through a statement signed by J.K. Igbonekwu, the Abia Sector Public Education Officer, described the claims as “unfounded, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to discredit the agency.” The FRSC insisted that its Mobile Courts were legally backed and always followed due process in adjudicating traffic offences.

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Akahi News learnt that the agency emphasised that all accused motorists are allowed fair hearing and have access to the details of their offences before any judgment is delivered.

FRSC Clarifies Structure of Mobile Courts

The Corps explained that the Ubakala Mobile Court was not run by FRSC officers alone, as insinuated in the online publication. Instead, it is a duly constituted legal body that includes:

A Magistrate from the Abia State Judiciary
A Court Clerk
A prosecuting legal officer from the FRSC
Marshals and police officers who provide order and security

This structure, the Corps stressed, guarantees impartiality and ensures that justice is not only delivered but also seen to be delivered.

According to Akahi News, the FRSC further disclosed that all sessions of the Mobile Court are documented with verifiable evidence, including judicial records, attendance logs, and in some cases, video recordings.

Corps Considers Legal Action Over Publication

The FRSC did not stop at denial; it also revealed that it was considering legal steps against those behind the controversial report. The agency warned that such falsehoods, if unchecked, could misinform the public and undermine the progress made in road safety campaigns.

Observers told Akahi News that the Corps is increasingly concerned about how misinformation, particularly on social media, may erode public trust in its activities. The agency reaffirmed that Mobile Courts were created to curb reckless driving, enforce traffic discipline, and ultimately save lives.

Public Reactions and Wider Implications

This clash between a rights advocacy group and the FRSC highlights the constant tension between law enforcement authorities and civil rights watchdogs in Nigeria.

For many Nigerians, the critical issue is not whether Mobile Courts exist, but whether they genuinely uphold justice. Some motorists have previously raised concerns about extortion in other states, while others admit that these courts have reduced accidents and curbed lawlessness on highways.

In its analysis, Akahi News notes that similar debates have trailed Mobile Court operations in Lagos, Ogun, and other states, where traffic offenders sometimes perceive enforcement as too harsh.

The FRSC’s strong defence of its Mobile Court operations underscores its determination to preserve credibility in traffic law enforcement. While the Corps is poised to challenge the allegations legally, the debate over the fairness and transparency of Mobile Courts is likely to continue, especially among motorists and civil society groups.

As Nigerians reflect on this development, the larger question remains: can Mobile Courts effectively balance swift enforcement with respect for human rights?

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