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Road Safety Corps Clears Air On N1.9 Billion Fines Report

Published

11 months ago

January 18, 2025

Joel Ajayi

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Marshal, Shehu Muhammed, has clarified the recent media report on the N1.9 billion generated from traffic fines. According to Muhammed, this amount was solely from fines and was directly remitted to the Federation Account. He emphasized that the FRSC has no access to the Federation Account.

The explanation came in response to a question by the Chairman of the Committee, Honourable Abiodun Derin Adesida specifically asking the Corps to clarify the issue of N1.9 billion.

Speaking further, the Corps Marshal said, “Outside the N1.9 billion generated from fines, other operational surpluses paid as revenues from the FRSC for last year were from the Number plates, Driver’s License, signage, training and towing which came up to N3.2 billion, bringing the total amount of revenue generated by the Corps in 2024 to N5.9 billion.

“All of these were duly remitted to the federation account as indicated in our 2024 report,” the Corps Marshal further stated.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) commended the Corps Marshal on the aggressive enforcement of traffic laws in 2024 leading to improved fines generation and called for sustained aggression in the new year. This was part of the observations made by members of the Committee when the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed appeared before them to appraise the 2024 budget performance by the Corps and to defend the projection for 2025.

In response to the presentation made to the Committee by the Corps Marshal, members observed with delight the high level of performance by the FRSC in 2024 as indicated in the performance report presented by the Corps Marshal. According to them, while the total sum of N2.9 billion was originally projected for last year’s revenue generation by the FRSC, it superseded the target by generating N5.9 billion, making it 100 percent increase above the projection.

While members of the Committee commended the Corps Marshal for the increased tempo of activities that led to the feat in the last year’s report, they further charged him to sustain the aggression, especially in the area of enforcement of traffic lights offences which they said have become more prevalent in the FCT. To this end, they called for collaboration between the FCT Administration and the FRSC to make all the traffic lights within the capital territory to be functional and bring all violators to book. “That alone will increase the amount of fines generated from traffic violations in the new year,” they stated.

Upon the clarification and expression of satisfaction with the Corps’ performance in 2024, the Committee members unanimously adopted the report as presented by the Corps Marshal and proceeded to consider the 2025 budget proposals.

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Amb Lion Ogorry Files Landmark Lawsuit Against Sahara Reporters, Sowore For Misleading and Malicious Publication Endangering National Security

Published

2 hours ago

November 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry, a renowned public advocacy practitioner and activist, today announced the filing of a high-profile lawsuit against Sahara Reporters Ltd. and its publisher, Omoyele Sowore, in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The suit, numbered FCT/HC/CV/4767/2025, accuses the defendants of publishing a false, malicious, and reckless article that violates Nigeria’s Constitution, the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, and other laws protecting public discourse, national security, and public order.

The originating summons, filed on November 24, 2025, stems from a Sahara Reporters article titled
“EXCLUSIVE: How Tinubu’s Defence Minister Matawalle Maintains Contact With Bandit Leaders, Ordered Them To Compel Communities To Vote For APC—Former Aide,” published on November 19, 2025.

Ambassador Ogorry alleges that the publication contains grave, unfounded accusations against the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, claiming he maintains illicit contacts with bandit leaders, orders communities to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC), and engages in activities that undermine counter-terrorism efforts.

These claims, according to the suit, are not only false but also fabricated to incite alarm, hatred, and ill-will, while endangering national security and public safety.

In his affidavit supporting the summons, Ambassador Ogorry, a Nigerian citizen and resident of Abuja with a long-standing commitment to public order and lawful civic discourse, emphasized that the article was disseminated widely across Sahara Reporters’ website, social media channels, X.com (Twitter) account, Facebook pages, WhatsApp broadcasts, and other platforms. He described the publication as a blatant violation of Section 39(3)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which prohibits speech that endangers public safety, national security, and public order. Furthermore, it contravenes Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by disseminating false, misleading, and harmful information capable of causing alarm or ill-will.

“The defendants’ reckless actions have not only tarnished the reputation of a dedicated public servant but have also compromised ongoing military operations against banditry and terrorism in Nigeria’s North-West region,” said Ambassador Ogorry. “This publication promotes distrust, exposes the Minister to risks, and undermines the morale of our armed forces engaged in counter-terrorism. It is a direct assault on our national security and the freedom of expression that must be balanced with responsibility.”

The lawsuit seeks the following reliefs from the court:
– A declaration that the publication is false, misleading, malicious, and not protected speech under Section 39(1) of the Constitution (as amended).

– A declaration that it falls within restricted speech under Section 39(3)(a), endangering public safety, national security, and public order.
– A declaration that it violates Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by prohibiting false, harmful, or misleading information.

– AN ORDER OF INJUNCTION restraining the Defendants, their agents, or privies from further publishing, distributing, circulating, or causing to be circulated the said false publication or any other malicious publication especially as it relates to and against the person of Defence Minister, Dr. Matawalle.

– An order directing the defendants to issue a public retraction of the publication and publish a full apology on their website and social media channels for 14 consecutive days.

– General and exemplary damages of N10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) for the frivolous, false, and malicious publication geared toward endangering public safety, national security, and public order.

Ambassador Ogorry highlighted that the article, based on unverified claims from an alleged “former senior aide,” lacks any official record or evidence, demonstrating the defendants’ disregard for truth and ethical journalism. He urged the court to address this as a matter of urgent national importance, citing precedents such as President F.R.N. v. ISA (2017) and Guardian Newspapers v. AIEH (2011), which affirm that freedom of expression does not protect reckless publications that threaten security.

“This lawsuit is not just about correcting a falsehood; it’s about safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy, protecting public officials from baseless attacks, and ensuring media accountability,” Ambassador Ogorry added. “Sahara Reporters and Omoyele Sowore must be held responsible for their role in spreading dangerous misinformation that could fuel terrorism and disrupt public order.”

The case is set for hearing in the Abuja Judicial Division, and Ambassador Ogorry expressed confidence in the judiciary’s ability to uphold justice and constitutional principles.

About Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry
Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry is a public advocacy practitioner, activist, and Nigerian citizen dedicated to promoting national security, public order, and lawful civic discourse. With a focus on protecting public discourse from malicious interference, he advocates for responsible journalism and governance.

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