Faded Number Plates Not an Offence, Lagos Court Warns FRSC

A Lagos-based Federal High Court has ruled that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) cannot impound vehicles or fine drivers for having faded number plates.

The court found that while motorists are responsible for replacing faded plates, the FRSC lacks the legal power to punish them for this issue.

This decision stems from a lawsuit filed on February last year by Chinwike Ezebube, a lawyer who argued that the FRSC, as the sole manufacturer of number plates, is accountable for their quality and longevity.

The lawyer argued that the FRSC should not be able to punish drivers for using faded number plates, especially since the FRSC is responsible for producing these plates. He also requested that the court order the FRSC to replace faded plates free of charge.

The FRSC’s lawyer, B.O. Nnamani, opposed the lawsuit and requested that it be dismissed with a penalty for the plaintiff.

The presiding officer, Justice Aluko maintained that, “The defendant cannot criminalise the use of faded vehicle number plates. The plaintiff has a duty to approach the defendant for a replacement upon payment of the requisite fees.

“By way of conclusion, I hold the view that the defendant cannot criminalise the use of faded vehicle number plates and has no power to impose a fine or impound the plaintiff’s vehicle on such grounds without a court order.”

The court therefore prohibited the FRSC from considering faded number plates an offense and from penalizing drivers for them. The court also instructed the plaintiff, Ezebube, to replace his faded number plate (LSD905EQ) through the FRSC by paying the necessary fees.

 

 

 

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