The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has praised a recent court decision that confirms its legal right to penalise drivers who break traffic rules, especially those who misuse or alter their number plates.
In a press release made on Thursday, August 7, in Abuja, FRSC’s Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide, said the judgment is a strong show of support for the agency’s legal duties and enforcement powers.
The ruling was given by Justice Musa Kakaki at the Federal High Court in Lagos on June 23, 2025. It followed a case filed by one Ojo Victor Olomi, who challenged the FRSC after being punished for altering his car’s number plate.
Olomi had painted his number plate by hand, making it non-reflective, which goes against the National Road Traffic Regulations of 2016. He also claimed that the FRSC violated his rights when they took his driver’s licence during the process.
However, Justice Kakaki ruled that Olomi broke the law by using a hand-painted plate and said the FRSC was right to seize his licence. The judge explained that making a number plate non-reflective is a serious traffic offence.
The court also made it clear that this case was different from another earlier judgment (Chinwike Ezebube v. FRSC). It pointed out that the FRSC acted properly and stayed within its legal powers in Olomi’s case.
Ogungbemide called the ruling a major legal win for the FRSC. He said it shows the agency is on the right path in ensuring road rules are followed, especially when it comes to correct number plate use.
Reacting to the judgment, FRSC Corps Marshal Malam Shehu Mohammed advised drivers to stop any act that could endanger road safety, such as changing or damaging their vehicle number plates. He warned people not to wrongly interpret past court decisions and said this new ruling has helped clear up any confusion.
According to him, the FRSC is still fully committed to making Nigerian roads safer. He assured the public that the corps will continue to do its job lawfully, respectfully, and with professionalism.
