The National Industrial Court in Abuja has ordered the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to reinstate former officer Anyabekong Ipeh Stephen, who was dismissed following allegations linked to an attempted bribe during a patrol operation. The court directed that he be returned to the same rank and grade level he held before his appointment was terminated.
Delivering judgment, Hon. Justice Emmanuel Subilim of the Abuja Judicial Division ruled that Stephen’s reinstatement should take effect from May 2026, when the court adopted the settlement reached by both parties as its Consent Judgment. The judge also directed the FRSC to allow him to resume duty as assigned, bringing the employment dispute to an end after both parties agreed to settle the case out of court.
The judgment followed an amicable settlement reached by both parties, which the court found to be in substantial compliance with the National Industrial Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2017 before adopting it as its Consent Judgment.
According to court documents, Stephen told the court that he was serving as an FRSC officer when he arrested a tipper driver for failing to wear a seatbelt during a patrol operation. He said the driver attempted to offer him money, which he intended to report to his team leader. However, he claimed the team leader tore the money and threw it away before he could explain the circumstances.
Stephen further stated that after the incident, he was questioned by a surveillance team, invited for further investigation, and later transferred to Port Harcourt, where he continued to serve. He said his appointment was eventually terminated without being issued a query, formally charged, or given the opportunity to defend himself. He therefore asked the court to order his reinstatement, payment of his outstanding salaries and benefits, as well as damages and the cost of the suit.
In their defence, the FRSC and the Corps Marshal argued that Stephen breached established patrol procedures. They said written statements were obtained from members of the patrol team and the Unit Commander before a disciplinary panel was set up to investigate the allegations against him. The defendants also maintained that Stephen was given a fair hearing and that the panel’s findings and recommendations were reviewed in line with the Commission’s regulations and conditions of service before his appointment was terminated.
During the proceedings, counsel for both parties informed the court that they had begun discussions to resolve the matter amicably. They later filed comprehensive Terms of Settlement, asking the court to adopt the agreement.
In his judgment, Justice Subilim said the parties voluntarily entered into the Terms of Settlement and that the court had carefully examined the agreement and found it to be in compliance with the National Industrial Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2017. The judge therefore adopted the Terms of Settlement as the Consent Judgment of the court, saying they represented the full and final resolution of the dispute between the parties.
Justice Subilim also ruled that the Terms of Settlement would form part of the conditions of service binding on both Stephen and the FRSC. He directed Stephen to comply with the FRSC (Establishment) Act, the Public Service Rules, applicable regulations, and the Commission’s Conditions of Service. The court further held that Stephen would have no further claims against the FRSC or the Corps Marshal regarding the matter, bringing the case to a final close.
