The Federal Road Safety Corps has welcomed a recent Federal High Court judgment that upheld its authority to penalise motorists who violate traffic regulations, including number plate standards.

This was disclosed in a statement on Thursday. The judgment was delivered on June 23, 2025, by Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division.

It came in suit number FHC/L/CS/2367/2024 between Ojo Victor Olomi and the FRSC.

Mr Ogungbemide said that in the well-considered judgment, the court dismissed Mr Olomi’s claims challenging the legality of the fine imposed on him and the confiscation of his driver’s licence by FRSC officials.

He stated that the case originated from the applicant’s unlawful hand-painting of his vehicle’s number plate, rendering it non-reflective and in violation of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2016.

According to him, the regulation mandates that all number plates remain reflective for visibility, security, and enforcement purposes.

“Justice Kakaki affirmed that the applicant’s action was a violation recognised by law and declared that the confiscation of his driver’s licence did not infringe on his fundamental human rights, as claimed.

“The court also drew a clear line between this case and an earlier judgment in Chinwike Ezebube v. FRSC, stressing that hand-painted number plates remain a punishable traffic offence,” he said.

Mr Ogungbemide described the ruling as a landmark judicial endorsement of its powers to enforce road safety laws and a validation of its statutory responsibilities.

“This verdict serves as a significant nod from the judiciary, validating the powers and responsibilities of the FRSC in enforcing traffic regulations. This is particularly as they relate to vehicle identification and road safety compliance,” he said.

Reacting, the FRSC corps marshal, Shehu Mohammed, urged all motorists to desist from acts that compromise road safety and violate established regulations, such as tampering with or altering number plates.

Mr Mohammed also called on the public to disregard misleading interpretations of previous court rulings and take note of the legal clarity provided by the new judgment.

“The FRSC remains committed to its mission of creating a safer motoring environment and will continue to carry out its lawful duties. This will be with professionalism, integrity, and respect for the rights of all Nigerians,” he said. 

(NAN)