By Our Reporter
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has received judicial backing to continue enforcing traffic regulations related to vehicle number plates, including the authority to impose fines and confiscate driver’s licences for violations.
In a landmark judgement delivered on Monday, June 23, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Lagos, Justice Musa Kakaki ruled in favour of the FRSC in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/2367/2024, dismissing a suit filed by one Mr. Ojo Victor Olomi.
Olomi had challenged the FRSC’s decision to seize his driver’s licence after officials discovered he had hand-painted his vehicle’s number plate, a clear violation of Nigeria’s road traffic regulations.
He argued that the seizure of his licence was an infringement on his fundamental human rights. However, Justice Kakaki disagreed, holding that the applicant’s actions contravened the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2016, which mandate that all vehicle number plates remain reflective to ensure visibility, security, and enforceability.
The Court ruled that hand-painting or altering a number plate renders it non-compliant with national standards, and is therefore a punishable offence. Justice Kakaki also confirmed that the FRSC acted lawfully in confiscating the applicant’s licence, stating that the enforcement action did not violate any constitutional rights.
He further distinguished the case from an earlier judgement in Chinwike Chamberlain Ezebube v. FRSC, clarifying that tampering with number plates constitutes a legitimate traffic offence.
Following the verdict, the FRSC issued a statement applauding the judgement as a critical affirmation of its statutory powers.
“This verdict is a significant victory in our quest to promote order, discipline, security, and safety on Nigerian roads,” the Corps stated.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed called on all motorists to strictly comply with road traffic regulations, especially those concerning vehicle number plates.
“We urge the public to ignore misinterpretations of previous court decisions. This ruling offers clear legal guidance on our authority to act against unsafe and unlawful road practices,” he added.
The FRSC reiterated its commitment to professional, rights-respecting enforcement of traffic laws, stressing that road safety is a shared responsibility.