The Federal High Court sitting in Kano has barred Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) from stopping, harassing or interrogating motorists on Kano State roads outside its statutory jurisdiction.

Justice M. S. Shuaibu delivered the ruling on Thursday following a fundamental human rights suit filed by a Kano-based lawyer, Abba Hikima, last year.

Mr Hikima sued the commission for unnecessarily stopping, searching and questioning him and other motorists on Kano township roads.

Justice Shuaibu, in his ruling, barred the commission’s officers from the state’s township roads, describing their actions as unlawful.

“An order of perpetual injuction restraining the 1st Respondent, whether by itself, its officers, agents, servants, privies, or through the 2nd Respondent or any other person whatsoever, from further stopping, harassing, interrogating, or delaying the Applicant or any other motorist on Kano State roads without lawful authority, and in violation of their fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution,” the statement read.

Ms Shuaibu also ordered the commission to issue a public apology in a national newspaper and awarded N800,000 in damages and costs to the applicant.

Reacting, Mr Hikima described the ruling as a landmark victory for the rule of law and vowed to ensure that it was obeyed.

“Take it from me, this time it’s not going to be business as usual. We will not allow the FRSC to rest until this judgement is obeyed,” the lawyer stated.