Ondo Court Orders FRSC to Return Car, Phone Seized After Man Exposed Patrol’s Worn-Out Tyre

A Nigerian citizen, Emmanuel Ajibade, has secured a significant legal victory after a court in Ondo State ordered the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigeria Police to return his impounded car, phone, and other personal items. The items were seized following his exposé of an FRSC patrol vehicle operating with a visibly worn-out tyre.

Ajibade’s lawyer confirmed the development in an interview with SaharaReporters on Wednesday. A source familiar with the matter said Ajibade was arrested and detained by security operatives shortly after he shared a viral video highlighting the FRSC’s violation of basic road safety standards.

Legal Proceedings and Court Ruling

During the court proceedings, Ajibade’s lawyer accused the police of delaying the trial by failing to present proof of evidence despite multiple requests.

“The police were not ready for trial today. They asked for more time, but we couldn’t let the day go to waste. So, we filed an application for the immediate release of all items seized—Ajibade’s car, phone, and eyeglasses,” he explained.

Citing sections 310, 306, and 229(2) of the Ondo State Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, the lawyer argued that neither the police nor the FRSC had the authority to withhold the property indefinitely. While the agencies objected, claiming the car had been impounded due to a traffic fine, the court ruled they must release the vehicle after the fine was paid.

“They claimed the fine was for not wearing a seatbelt, though they provided no evidence. Regardless, we agreed to pay the fine so that my client could retrieve his car. But even that opportunity was initially denied to us,” the lawyer said.

He also requested that the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) be present during the release of the car and phone to assess their condition and ensure the phone’s contents hadn’t been tampered with.

Background: Exposing the FRSC

Ajibade’s ordeal began after he was stopped by FRSC officials for an alleged traffic offence. In a now-viral video, he called out the officers for operating with a dangerously worn-out tyre—despite being an agency responsible for road safety enforcement.

His bold move drew public attention and official backlash. Not long after sharing the video, he was arrested, taken to the FRSC office in Akure, and reportedly assaulted. He was then transferred to the Nigeria Police Force’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit, a successor to the disbanded SARS unit notorious for police brutality.

FRSC Reacts: Sector Commander Sanctioned

In response to the backlash, the FRSC Headquarters in Abuja issued a public statement condemning the misconduct. The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, described the use of a worn-out tyre on an FRSC patrol vehicle as “unacceptable,” and confirmed that the Ondo State Sector Commander, Dr. Samuel Ibitoye, had been sanctioned.

“The Corps Marshal condemns in totality the use of a worn-out tyre on an FRSC patrol vehicle and has ordered the immediate sanction of the Ondo Sector Commander under whose jurisdiction the violation occurred,” the statement read.

The Corps Marshal also stated that Dr. Ibitoye would personally pay the fine associated with the violation and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strict adherence to safety standards across all commands.

Looking Ahead

Ajibade’s lawyer said his client expects to reclaim his phone and other belongings by Wednesday afternoon, and the car by Thursday, once all legal and administrative procedures are completed.

The case has become a symbol of the growing public demand for accountability among law enforcement agencies, especially in a country still grappling with the legacy of police brutality and abuse of power.