The Federal High Court in Lagos has affirmed the legal authority of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to impose penalties including the confiscation of driver’s licences for violations related to vehicle number plates.
Delivering judgment on Monday, June 23, 2025, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/2367/2024, Justice Musa Kakaki dismissed a suit filed by Mr. Ojo Victor Olomi, who challenged the FRSC’s actions after he was penalized for hand-painting his car’s number plate.
Olomi had claimed that the seizure of his licence by FRSC officials infringed on his fundamental human rights.
However, the court ruled against him, stating that his conduct clearly violated provisions of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2016.
Justice Kakaki held that “The modification of a number plate through hand painting renders it non-compliant with national regulations and is therefore a punishable offence under the law.”
He added that the requirement for vehicle number plates to be reflective is essential for purposes of visibility, security, and enforcement.
According to the court, the FRSC acted within its statutory powers, and its decision to confiscate the applicant’s driver’s licence was lawful and did not violate any constitutional rights.
The judge also addressed earlier legal arguments that cited a previous case, Chinwike Chamberlain Ezebube v. FRSC, clarifying that it was not applicable to the present matter.
The court maintained that: “Tampering with or altering number plates constitutes a clear traffic offence.”
