Court Stops FRSC from Seizing Vehicles Over Faded Number Plates

By Achimi Muktar

In a groundbreaking judgment that has sparked nationwide conversation, the Federal High Court in Lagos has barred the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) from impounding vehicles or imposing fines on owners with faded number plates.

The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by lawyer Chinwike Ezebube, who argued that the FRSC, as the sole designer and producer of number plates in Nigeria, is responsible for ensuring their durability. Ezebube contended that vehicle owners should not be penalized for faded plates resulting from poor manufacturing quality.

Presiding over the case, Justice Akintayo Aluko sided with the plaintiff, delivering a clear verdict: “The FRSC cannot criminalize the use of faded number plates or fine vehicle owners for issues stemming from the quality of plates produced by the agency.”

The court further clarified that while vehicle owners are required to replace faded number plates at their own expense, the FRSC has no legal authority to impose fines or seize vehicles without obtaining a court order.

Ezebube had asked the court to determine whether the FRSC could legally penalize citizens for the wear and tear of plates it manufactured. The court’s decision affirmed his stance, effectively restraining the FRSC from treating faded number plates as an offense.

This ruling has been hailed as a win for Nigerian motorists, emphasizing the accountability of public agencies and limiting arbitrary enforcement of regulations. Drivers can now breathe a sigh of relief, knowing they cannot be fined or have their vehicles seized for faded number plates without due process.

For many, this judgment sets a precedent that calls into question other regulatory practices and ensures fairness in the enforcement of traffic laws.