A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday held that it was unconstitutional for the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to impose new number plates on motorists in the country. The judge, Justice James Tsoho, delivered the judgment following a suit by a lawyer, Emmanuel Ofoegbu, challenging the powers of FRSC to issue the new number plates.
Ofoegbu had challenged the power of the commission to impound vehicles of motorists who failed to acquire the new numbers. Tsho held that it was unlawful for the respondent to impose the new number plates on motorists, where there was no existing law permitting same.“The issue of redesigning new number plates by the respondent is not covered under the provisions of any law in Nigeria.“The respondent cannot force Nigerians to acquire new number plates 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.
He urged the court to declare as unlawful, the threat by the respondent, to arrest motorists using the old number plates because there is no law validly made in accordance with the constitution prohibiting its user.