The Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has ordered the Nigeria Police Force and the Joint Revenue Board to ensure the immediate removal and dismantling of roadblocks, checkpoints, barriers and other obstructions allegedly erected on federal highways for the collection of taxes, levies, dues and other revenues.
The order followed a judgment delivered on July 13, 2026, by Justice Hillary I. O. Oshomah in Suit No. FHC/AI/MISC/9/2026, involving Amb. Ayobami Makinde, Musamad Nigeria Limited and the Incorporated Trustees of Heavy Duty Haulage and Transporters Welfare Association, Bwari, Abuja, against the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army and the Joint Revenue Board.
In the judgment, Justice Oshomah granted an order of mandamus compelling the Nigeria Police Force and the Joint Revenue Board to supervise or ensure the immediate removal of illegal roadblocks and other obstructions mounted on federal highways, expressways and roads for revenue collection.
The court further directed the police to arrest, detain, investigate and prosecute persons, groups, bodies or authorities found to have erected or operated such roadblocks for the collection of revenue where such activities contravene the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act, Cap. T2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
However, the court document also indicated that the application was refused and dismissed in respect of the second respondent of the first set of respondents.
Haulage Association Seeks 20 Police Personnel
Following the judgment, the Heavy Duty Haulage and Transporters Welfare Association of Nigeria has written to the Inspector-General of Police, requesting the deployment of 20 police personnel to facilitate enforcement of the court order.
The letter, dated August 26, 2026, was addressed to the Inspector-General at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, and was received at the police headquarters on August 31, according to the receiving stamp on the document.
The association said the deployment would help enforce the judgment and curb what it described as economic sabotage, extortion and illegal multiple taxation on federal highways.
Truckers Allege Extortion, Harassment
Speaking separately on the issue, the South-West Zonal Chairman of the association, Elder Michael Akinwumi Akinloye (FEIPA), narrated what he described as the ordeal regularly faced by heavy-duty truck drivers on federal highways.
According to him, truckers are subjected to extortion, humiliation and what he described as day-and-night robbery by individuals allegedly parading themselves as federal task force personnel and revenue collectors.
He said the activities had continued to place additional financial burdens on haulage operators and other businesses involved in the transportation of goods across the country.
The association maintained that the proliferation of unauthorised revenue collection points on highways does not only affect transport operators but also has wider consequences for the Nigerian economy.
It argued that additional charges imposed on the movement of goods ultimately increase transportation costs and could contribute to higher prices of commodities in markets.
The association therefore appealed to the Inspector-General of Police to act on the Federal High Court judgment and deploy the requested personnel to support its enforcement.
It said effective enforcement would provide relief to truckers, traders, farmers, transport operators and other Nigerians who depend on the nation's road network for the movement of goods and services.
The letter was signed by the association's National Chairman, Hon. Oraka Nnaemeka, and Secretary-General, Amb. Ayobami Makinde.
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