A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to stop confiscating vehicles or penalising drivers over faded number plates. Justice Akintayo Aluko issued the ruling on 17 January, describing the practice as unjustifiable.
The decision has been widely praised by Lagos residents, who have called on the FRSC to prioritise the production of durable number plates. In interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), many highlighted the unfairness of punishing drivers for plates that fade due to the use of substandard materials.
Mike Ochonma, Chairman of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA), welcomed the judgement, criticising the FRSC for imposing fines on drivers despite overseeing the production and distribution of number plates nationwide.
“During my tenure as NAJA chairman, I condemned these fines and advised the FRSC to improve the quality of its materials and offer affordable replacements to reduce motorists’ financial burdens,” Ochonma said.
Similarly, Foster Obi of Dfcnews supported the court’s ruling, calling for transparency from the FRSC regarding the lifespan of number plates. He argued that it was unfair to penalise motorists for the FRSC’s negligence in producing substandard plates.
“It is unjustifiable for the FRSC to arrest or fine drivers when plates fade within a short time. The agency collects enough money for quality production but still uses cheap materials,” Obi stated. He added that penalties should only apply if motorists fail to replace faded plates within a given timeframe.
Other residents echoed these sentiments, emphasising the need for accountability. Edith Ugo, a banker, questioned why drivers are penalised for an issue stemming from government-controlled production. Ogochukwu Okonkwo described the judgement as a “welcome development” and urged the FRSC to stop producing inferior plates while punishing drivers for their fading.
The court’s ruling has sparked further calls for the FRSC to address quality concerns and ensure a fair and transparent system for issuing and replacing number plates.
Credit: NAN (Text Excluding Headline)
