Court Backs FRSC’s Power To Penalise Altered Number Plates
A Federal High Court in Lagos has upheld the authority of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to enforce number plate regulations, ruling that the agency acted lawfully in penalising a motorist who altered his number plate.
In the judgement delivered on 23rd June 2025 by Justice Musa Kakaki, the court dismissed a suit filed by one Ojo Victor Olomi, who challenged the seizure of his driver’s licence and a fine imposed after he was caught with a hand-painted, non-reflective number plate – a clear breach of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2016.
The applicant had claimed the enforcement violated his fundamental rights, but the court firmly disagreed, ruling that his actions were illegal and the FRSC acted within its powers.
“This judgement reaffirms our legal mandate to enforce traffic laws without fear or favour,” said Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed in response to the verdict. “Tampering with number plates compromises road safety, visibility, and vehicle identification.”
The ruling also clarified earlier legal confusion, with the court drawing a sharp distinction from the Ezebube v. FRSC case. Justice Kakaki declared that hand-painted number plates are indeed a traffic offence punishable under the law.
FRSC described the judgement as a “pivotal victory” in its mission to uphold discipline and safety on Nigeria’s roads, urging motorists to comply with all regulations and ignore misleading interpretations of past rulings.
The Corps reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out its duties with professionalism and respect for the rights of all citizens.
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