A High Court in Lagos has issued an order preventing the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) from arresting or penalising drivers for having faded vehicle number plates.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Akintayo Aluko on Friday, also prohibits the FRSC from imposing fines or punishment on drivers for faded plates. The judgment was made in response to a suit filed by legal practitioner Chinwike Chamberlain Ezebube.
Legal Questions Raised
Ezebube argued that the FRSC, as the sole designer and producer of vehicle number plates under the Federal Road Safety Commission Act 2007, is responsible for their quality and durability.
He challenged the FRSC’s authority to criminalise or penalise drivers for faded plates caused by poor manufacturing, asserting that the agency must replace such plates at no extra cost to vehicle owners.
Court’s Ruling
In its judgment, the court ruled that:
- The FRSC cannot declare it an offence or impose fines for using faded number plates.
- The FRSC must replace faded plates upon the payment of reasonable fees by the vehicle owner.
Justice Aluko ruled:
“Defendant cannot criminalise the use of faded vehicle number plates or impose fines on drivers without an order from a competent court. The Plaintiff has a duty to approach the Defendant for a replacement and pay the requisite fee.”
Implications
The ruling underscores the Commission’s obligation to ensure the quality of number plates it produces and clarifies that vehicle owners cannot be penalised for defects stemming from poor manufacturing.
