FRSC’s New Number Plates Illegal -- Court Rules

Lagos—In a report by Vanguard ,a Federal High Court in Lagos Wednesday held that it was unconstitutional for the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, to impose new number plates on motorists in the country.

The judge, Justice James Tsoho, delivered the judgment following a suit by a lawyer, Emmanuel Ofoegbu, challenging the powers of FRSC to issue the new number plates.Ofoegbu had challenged the power of the commission to impound vehicles of motorists who failed to acquire the new numbers. 

Tsho held that it was unlawful for the respondent to impose the new number plates on motorists, where there was no existing law permitting same.He said: “The issue of redesigning new number plates by the respondent is not covered under the provisions of any law in Nigeria. 

“The respondent cannot force Nigerians to acquire new number plates by impounding cars, without the backing of any legislation to that effect. 

“I hold that the act of the respondent amounts to an arbitrary use of power, and is therefore illegal and unconstitutional.“Judgment is, therefore, entered in favour of the plaintiff, and all the reliefs sought are hereby granted, I so hold.”The plaintiff had filed the suit on September 30, 2013 through a Human Rights Activists, Mr Ogedi Ogu. 

The plaintiff had sought a declaration that the threat by the respondents to impound vehicles of motorists, who failed to acquire the new number plates was invalid and unconstitutional.In his statement of facts, the plaintiff averred that the old plate numbers were issued under the provisions of the National Road Traffic Regulations, NRTR, 2004. 

He averred that the NRTR 2004, is a subsidiary legislation made under the FRSC Act, Laws of the Federation as revised in 2004.Ofoegbu averred that there was no law made in accordance with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which prohibits the use of the old plate numbers, or declares its use as an offence. 

He also averred that the threat by the respondent to impound vehicles and arrest motorists who failed to comply with the October 1 deadline, was a gross violation of the provisions of 36 (12) of the constitution  which guarantees the rights of individuals. 

He had, therefore, urged the court to declare as unlawful, the threat by the respondent, to arrest motorists using the old number plates because there is no law validly made in accordance with the constitution prohibiting its user.

The applicant had also sought an order of injunction restraining the defendants from impounding vehicles or otherwise arresting or harassing motorists who failed to acquire the new number plate.