The Federal Road Safety Corps has warned motorists to respect traffic laws and refrain from illegal modifications to vehicle number plates.

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, reacting to a recent ruling by the Federal High Court in Lagos, which affirmed its authority to enforce regulations relating to vehicle number plates, said tampering with or altering number plates in any form was punishable.

“We call on all motorists to desist from acts that compromise road safety and contravene laid-down regulations, such as tampering with or altering number plates in any form,” the statement noted.

He added that the judgment should serve as a reminder to the motoring public about the consequences of breaching traffic regulations and the importance of compliance in ensuring national road safety.

According to a statement signed by the corps spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, on Thursday, the ruling was delivered on June 23, 2025, by Justice Musa Kakaki.

The judge dismissed a suit filed by one Ojo Olomi, who had challenged the legality of a fine imposed on him and the confiscation of his driver’s licence by FRSC officials.

He had been arrested for allegedly hand-painting his vehicle’s number plate, a practice the corps deems a violation of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2016.

By hand-painting his number plate, Olomi was found to have violated these provisions, prompting enforcement action by the corps.

The judgment distinguished itself from an earlier decision in Chinwike Chamberlain Ezebube v. FRSC, which had been cited by some to question the FRSC’s enforcement authority. Welcoming the judgment, the FRSC said

The FRSC welcomed the judgement, stating that it not only upheld the legality of the penalty but also provided legal clarity on the offence of altering number plates.

“The Honourable Court affirmed that the action of the applicant is a violation recognised by law and the confiscation of his driver’s licence does not constitute an infringement on the applicant’s fundamental human rights as alleged by him,” Ogungbemide said in the statement.

He further explained that the judgment set aside misconceptions surrounding the corps’ legal standing to enforce road traffic regulations, especially concerning vehicle identification.

“This verdict serves as a significant nod from the judiciary, validating the powers and responsibilities of the FRSC in enforcing traffic regulations, particularly as they relate to vehicle identification and road safety compliance,” Ogungbemide said.

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