A Federal High Court in Lagos has prohibited the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) from arresting motorists or imposing penalties on drivers for using vehicles with faded number plates.
Delivering judgment yesterday, Justice Akintayo Aluko ruled that the FRSC lacks the authority to criminalize the use of faded number plates or penalize drivers without a valid court order.
The decision was made in response to a suit filed by legal practitioner Chinwike Chamberlain Ezebube, who challenged the FRSC’s actions.
Ezebube, in his suit filed on February 13, 2024, argued that the FRSC, as the sole designer and producer of vehicle number plates in Nigeria, is entirely responsible for their quality and durability.
He raised three key questions for determination: Whether the Corps can hold drivers accountable for faded number plates when it is responsible for their production, whether it can impose penalties on motorists for faded plates caused by poor manufacturing and whether the FRSC is obligated to replace faded number plates at no additional cost to vehicle owners.
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Ezebube also sought specific court orders, including: restraining the Corps from criminalizing the use of faded number plates.
Prohibiting the FRSC from imposing fines or other punishments for faded number plates and directing the Corps to replace his faded number plate (LSD905EQ) and others free of charge upon proof of the initial issuance payment.
In its defence, represented by lawyer B.O. Nnamani, the FRSC filed a counter-affidavit urging the court to dismiss the suit with punitive costs.
Justice Aluko ruled in favour of the plaintiff, affirming that the FRSC cannot declare it a crime to drive with a faded number plate or penalize motorists for the same.
However, the court clarified that drivers must approach the FRSC for replacements and pay the requisite fees.
The court’s orders include: restraining the FRSC from criminalizing or penalizing the use of faded number plates, mandating it to replace the plaintiff’s faded number plate (LSD905EQ) upon payment of a reasonable fee.
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The court emphasised that while the FRSC is responsible for ensuring the quality of number plates, motorists are also required to follow proper procedures to obtain replacements.
