By Desire Emmanuel
The National Industrial Court has ordered the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to immediately reinstate its employee sacked for collecting money from a tipper driver arrested for traffic violation.
Justice Emmanuel Subilim of the Abuja Division of the court told the FRSC to reinstate Mr George Ipeh into its employment at the same rank and grade level he occupied before the termination of his appointment.
Justice Subilim held that the reinstatement of Ipeh shall take effect from May 2026, being the date the Terms of Settlement were adopted as the ‘consent judgment’ of the court.
According to court documents, Mr Ipeh submitted that he was an employee of the FRSC and while on a patrol duty, he arrested a tipper driver for a traffic violation and was offered a tip by the driver.
He added that he reported the attempted inducement to his team leader, who allegedly tore the money and discarded it before he could fully explain the circumstances surrounding the matter.
He stated that following the incident, he was questioned by a surveillance team, invited for further investigation, and later transferred to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he continued to serve.
He said his employment was subsequently terminated without being issued a query, formally charged, or allowed to defend himself, and consequently sought reinstatement, payment of salaries and benefits, damages, and costs.
In its defence, the FRSC maintained that Mr Ipeh violated established patrol procedures and that written statements were obtained from members of the patrol team and the Unit Commander, following which a disciplinary panel was constituted to investigate the allegations against him.
It further stated that Ipeh was given a fair hearing, after which the panel forwarded its findings and recommendations for review in accordance with the applicable regulations and conditions of service before his appointment was subsequently terminated.
However, during the proceedings, one of the counsels informed the court that the parties had commenced discussions towards an amicable settlement of the dispute and subsequently filed comprehensive Terms of Settlement for adoption by the court.
Delivering judgment, Justice Subilim stated that the parties voluntarily adopted the Terms of Settlement and that the court had carefully examined the terms and found them to be in compliance with the provisions of Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2017.
He held that the Terms of Settlement shall constitute the full and final resolution of the dispute and accordingly entered them as the Consent Judgment of the court.
Justice Subilim also stated that the Terms of Settlement shall form an integral part of the conditions of service binding on both Mr Ipeh and the FRSC and that Mr Ipeh shall strictly abide by the Federal Road Safety Commission (Establishment) Act, the Public Service Rules, applicable regulations and the corp’s Conditions of Service.
The judge finally held that Mr Ipeh shall have no further claims whatsoever against the FRSC in respect of the subject matter of the suit, and judgment was entered accordingly.
