The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos has delivered judgment in favour of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), upholding the Commission's legal powers to set deadlines for motorists to change over to the new vehicle number plate and drivers' licence.

The verdict is coming on the heels of an appeal filed by the Commission against the judgment of the Federal High court in Lagos, in a case of Emmanuel Ofoegbu vs FRSC on March 26, 2014.



The Federal High court had in the initial judgment, ruled that the FRSC had no statutory powers to fix deadline for motorists to switch over to the new vehicle number plate and driver's licence.

However, in a verdict by the Court of Appeal in Lagos, delivered by Justice Joseph Ike with Justices Ndukwe Anyanwu and Jamillah Tukur as members, the Court of Appeal upheld the validity of the National Road Traffic Regulations 2012.

It also held that the validity of old number plate bought by the respondent, Emeka Ofoegbu expired on October 13, 2014, the deadline issued by the FRSC.

The Appellate court also dissolved the order of injunction by the Federal High court, restraining FRSC from setting deadline for change over to the new number plates and observed that the 13th October, 2014 deadline, had passed.

Reacting to the Appeal court's verdict, the FRSC Corps Marshal and Chief Executive, Boboye Oyeyemi, expressed satisfaction about the judgment and commended the Judiciary for not only providing a clear interpretation of the existing laws on number plates and driver's licence but also validating the statutory powers of the FRSC to deliver on its goals and expectations of Nigerians on motor vehicle administration.

He further enjoined motorists to comply with the law while urging them to drive safely as the year winds to a close.
Source: http://www.ereporter.com.ng/index.php/national-news/item/982-court-upholds-frsc-powers-on-new-number-plate-deadline