FRSC Ordered to Replace Faded Vehicle Plates Without Extra Charge

Justice Akintayo Aluko has ruled that the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) cannot impose fines or penalties on drivers for operating vehicles with faded number plates. The court issued the order while delivering judgment in a lawsuit filed by legal practitioner Chinwike Chamberlain Ezebube against the FRSC.

Ezebube, in his suit filed on February 13, 2024, sought clarification on several issues, including whether the FRSC, as the sole producer of vehicle number plates in Nigeria, is responsible for the quality and durability of the plates. He argued that it was unfair for the FRSC to penalize drivers for using faded plates if the fading was a result of poor manufacturing.

He also sought an order to prevent the FRSC from declaring it an offense to drive with a faded plate and from imposing fines on drivers in such situations. Additionally, he requested that the FRSC replace faded number plates at no extra cost to the vehicle owners.

In response, the FRSC’s legal representative, B.O Nnamani, filed a counter affidavit asking the court to dismiss the suit and impose punitive costs on the plaintiff.

Delivering judgment, Justice Aluko ruled that while the FRSC cannot criminalize the use of faded vehicle number plates, it is the responsibility of drivers to approach the FRSC for replacements upon payment of the required fee. The judge further emphasized that the FRSC has no authority to impose fines or impound vehicles for having faded plates without a court order.

The court granted the following orders:

• The FRSC is prohibited from declaring it an offense to drive with a faded vehicle number plate.
• The FRSC is restrained from imposing fines or punishment for driving with a faded vehicle plate.
• The FRSC is directed to replace the faded vehicle number plate, LSD905EQ, for Ezebube upon payment of the appropriate fee.

This judgment emphasizes the FRSC’s duty to ensure the quality of vehicle number plates and the rights of citizens to seek replacements without facing penalties.