Fed High Court Declares FRSC New Plate Number Illegal

 A Federal High Court in Lagos today ruled as illegal the new number plate introduced by the Federal Road Safety Commission. One Emmanuel Ofoegbu, a lawyer had filed the case against the Federal Road Safety Commission, who deemed the new plates as unlawful. He argued that the commission can't impose the new plates on the Nation's populace, when no existing law permitted it.

According to the Judge James Tsoho:

The issue of redesigning new number plates by the respondent, is not covered under the provisions of any law in Nigeria. The respondent (FRSC) cannot force Nigerians to acquire new plate numbers by impounding cars, without the backing of any legislation to that effect. I hold that the act of the respondent amounts to an arbitrary use of power, and is therefore illegal and unconstitutional. Judgment is therefore entered in favour of the plaintiff, and all the reliefs sought is hereby granted, I so hold,” the judge added.

The suit was filed on September 30, 2013 for human activist, Ogedi Ogu, who challenged the FRSC's power to take charge car owners who didn't get the new plates. The spokesman of the FRSC, Mr Jonas Agwu on his reaction to the judgement said his agency has not received a copy of the judgment but stated that FRSC will make an official statement on it once it receives it.