Opinion

Judicial Ruling and Public Safety: Lessons from the FCT

By Amb. Fidelis Nnadi / Posted 27th March 2025

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A few months ago, a high court sitting in Abuja issued a ruling barring the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) from imposing fines or impounding vehicles, regardless of the infractions committed or the roadworthiness status of the vehicles.

Effectively, this judgement halted the enforcement activities of the Directorate.
To many road users, this was a welcome development.

It was seen a relief from what they perceived as harassment by DRTS officers, commonly known as the “VIO”. With enforcement suspended, some drivers saw an opportunity to operate without fear of being checked for compliance with vehicle documentation and road safety regulations.

However, for road traffic safety stakeholders, the ruling raised grave concerns about its implications for public safety.

Despite warnings from experts and safety advocates, the general public, particularly those unaware of the full mandate of the DRTS, celebrated the ruling.

This lack of awareness extends beyond formal education levels to a broader ignorance of the agency’s responsibilities beyond vehicle document enforcement.

For enlightenment sake, the DRTS plays a crucial role in total planning, organizing, controlling, and managing all aspects of vehicle registration, documentation and licensing; vehicle inspection, testing and certification; driver training, testing and licensing; traffic monitoring, management and control; highway and street patrols to enforce relevant traffic laws and regulations; road transport monitoring and control; motor vehicle related trades control, registration and licensing, and all other matters related thereto, including collection and remittance of fees and levies on those matters.

These functions, codified in the FCT Road Transport Regulation 2023, are vital not primarily for revenue generation as perceived by many but, more importantly, for ensuring the safety of lives and property on FCT roads.

One of the most significant mandates of the DRTS is enforcing restrictions on the movement of trailers and articulated vehicles during peak hours (6:00 AM – 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM) in high-traffic areas, particularly along the ever busy Nyanya-Keffi Road.

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This restriction, in place since 2010, was designed to minimize accidents and reduce casualties by keeping heavy-duty vehicles off the roads during peak commuter movement.

However, since the court ruling, the absence of DRTS enforcement has led to a surge in traffic violations. Delivery motorcycle riders have become increasingly reckless, overloading their motorcycles and failing to wear protective gear.

Road accidents involving these motorcycles have spiked by over 20%.

Additionally, vehicle overloading and reckless driving have become rampant, leading to a sharp increase in fatalities and serious injuries.

The tragic culmination of this lapse in enforcement occurred on 19th March 2025 along the Nyanya-Keffi Road, where a catastrophic accident involving a CNG laden tanker, operating during peak-hours period led to a massive inferno.

Many lives were lost, and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed. This disaster could have been prevented if the DRTS personnel had been on that road enforcing traffic laws, including the restriction on trailer movement during peak periods on that fateful day.

While the judiciary has an essential role in upholding justice, this case underscores the need for a balanced approach in judicial rulings, particularly those affecting public safety. Instead of completely stripping the DRTS of its enforcement powers, the ruling could have imposed alternative penalties, such as refining the agency’s processes or implementing stricter oversight mechanisms to curb any cases of high-handedness by its personnel.

Judicial decisions must consider the broader implications on governance and public welfare.

The FCT experience has demonstrated that blanket rulings against enforcement agencies can lead to unintended consequences, endangering lives and property.

Moving forward, the judiciary should engage relevant stakeholders before issuing rulings that could undermine public safety mechanisms.

As road safety challenges escalate in the FCT, it is imperative that FCT DRTS, which is a regulatory agency, be allowed to perform its duties effectively while adjustments are made to its establishing laws and its mode of operations.

The lessons from this judicial ruling should guide future court decisions to ensure that legal interpretations do not inadvertently compromise public safety.

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Amb. Fidelis Nnadi is a Road Traffic Safety Advocate based in Abuja
accisafety@gmail.com

The views shared on this article is the opinion of the author. ddnewsonline.com will not be held responsible for any misrepresentation of facts