By Nanmwa Golok

Federal High court sitting in Jos has awarded in damages the sum of five hundred thousand Naira against the Federal Road Safety Corp for violating the fundamental human rights of a motorist.

Delivering judgment on the suit filed by the applicant against the FRSC, Justice DV Agishi of the Federal High court 1 also ordered the Federal Road Safety Corp to immediately release the vehicle of the applicant it imponded more than a year ago.

Benjamin Justin had approached the federal high court seeking the enforcement of his fundamental human rights after operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corp on patrol assaulted him for not cooperating with them when they asked for bribe. Counsel to the applicant John Yiwa also informed the court that the car belonging to his client was impounded at the premises of the FRSC after he was assaulted for daring to lodge a complaint against a road marshal.

Even though counsel to the defendant denied assaulting the applicant or impounding his car, Justice DV Agishi said based on the evidence before the court, the defendant indeed erred and therefore awarded the sum of five hundred thousand naira in damages in favour of the applicant.

She said agencies must exercise their powers within the ambit of the law when dealing with the citizens. Reacting the Judgment, Counsel to the applicant John Yiwa said it is victory for human rights.

Benjamin Justin on the other hand said the judgment will encourage the public to seek redress whenever their fundamental human rights were infringed upon

count | 508

Jos high court award damages of N500,000 against FRSC