By Edoama Hanson
The Court of Appeal, Lagos, has granted the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the permission to go ahead with the issuance of new number plates.
Justice Shagbaor Ikegh, gave the ruling in a judgment last Friday, which was released to newsmen on Monday, in Lagos.
The plaintiff, Mr. Emmanuel Ofoegbu, had filed a suit against the FRSC before a Federal High Court, Lagos.
The plaintiff had challenged the October 1, 2013 deadline, set for motorists to change to the number plate and the threat to impound vehicles of defaulters.
“I would allow this appeal in part; for the avoidance of doubt, this appeal only succeeds in part to the effect that regulations 2012 has legal force, and is enforceable from October 1, 2013, the administrative date set by FRSC.
“The part of the decision of the lower court declaring the regulation 2012 unconstitutional is hereby set aside,” Ikegh ruled.
Justice John Tsoho, of the lower court, had on March 26described as unconstitutional the threats by FRSC to impound vehicles of defaulters, including the applicant’s vehicle(s) over the redesigned plates.
The judge had held that the FRSC could not force upon Nigerians, a hastily conceived policy, without an enabling legal framework.
He said nothing had invalidated the old number plates, describing the plans by the FRSC as dictatorial and an arbitrary use of power contrary to the constitution.
Dissatisfied with the decision of the lower court, the FRSC had approached the appellate court, seeking an order upturning its verdict.
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