By Ameh Gabriel
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has firmly rejected a recent media publication falsely alleging that its officers demanded a bribe from a motorist, Mr. Shebb Emmanuel Ugochukwu, in a 2022 incident that led to a legal dispute. The Corps described the report as misleading, malicious, and a deliberate attempt to discredit its personnel and misinform the public.
The publication claimed that Mr. Ugochukwu was unlawfully booked by FRSC officers after he refused to pay a bribe, citing alleged violations including the use of worn-out tyres and the absence of a spare tyre. However, the FRSC has clarified that the traffic stop and subsequent booking were conducted lawfully and based on verifiable road safety infractions.
In a statement signed by Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide, the Corps emphasized that no bribery allegation was ever raised or proven in court, whether at the Abia State High Court or the Court of Appeal, where the case was heard.
“The case in question was strictly one of fundamental rights enforcement, not a criminal trial involving bribery. To suggest otherwise is both deceptive and irresponsible,” the statement read.
The FRSC explained that although the High Court had initially awarded ₦30 million in damages against the Corps, the Court of Appeal reviewed the case and reduced the sum to ₦10 million, deeming the original demand “a desire for gold-digging.” The appellate court also cited precedent from the Supreme Court warning against the misuse of legal processes for unjust enrichment.
“It is ironic and disingenuous that an individual whose claims were significantly discredited by the Court of Appeal would now falsely accuse FRSC officers of soliciting bribes—an allegation never presented, argued, or proven in any judicial forum,” Ogungbemide added.
The FRSC stressed that its legal team is currently reviewing the judgment and may consider pursuing further legal redress, in line with the Corps’ commitment to justice and the protection of its personnel’s integrity.
“We unequivocally reject the baseless bribery claims. These are criminal allegations, and such serious assertions must not be treated carelessly in public discourse or media reporting,” the statement noted.
Reaffirming its core values of transparency, accountability, and professional excellence, the FRSC assured the public that its officers remain dedicated to their statutory mandate of ensuring road safety and saving lives.
“No amount of falsehood, media manipulation, or character assassination will deter the Corps from discharging its responsibilities with diligence and integrity,” the statement concluded.
The Corps called on the public to continue supporting its work and to refrain from spreading unverified or sensational claims that could endanger the morale and safety of its frontline officers.
