FRSC denies extorting motorists over new number plate

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has denied a media report alleging “ambush” and “extortion”, by the Corps officials over new number plates.

A statement on Saturday by Bisi Kazeem, the Corps Public Education Officer, said the story is incorrect, untrue and misleading.

He stated that in pursuant to the introduction of the new number plate, the FRSC duly informed the public of the new regime and further gave time for the replacement of the old number plate.

It added that the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, also ensured that the Corps undertook a public enlightenment on the security benefits of changing from the old to the new number plate at the point of renewing their vehicle documents which has only one year validity period.

Kazeem said that item 4 of the communiqué issued at the end of the 136th meeting of the Joint Tax Board (JTB) held on the 28^th November, 2016 at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, states categorically that the renewal of vehicle particulars on the old number plates will be discontinued with effect from the next due date as measure to check fraud and enhance revenue collection.

Further to this, Kazeem stated that the security feature of the new number plate is one of the key reasons motorists are expected to accept the introduction as the National Uniform Licensing Scheme (NULS) helps in the harmonization of data both of vehicles and drivers information system in the central data base.

He added that the new database also makes it easier to track and apprehend criminals, especially those involved in car theft.

It will be recalled that following the protests over the publication by FRSC of its intention to commence the arrest and prosecution of drivers or owners of vehicles using any number plate obtained under the repealed National Road Transport Regulation (NRTR) 2004 by 1st October, 2013; one Mr Emmanuel Ofoegbu instituted an action against FRSC at the Federal High Court in Lagos in FHC/CS/1332/13 Emmanuel Ofoegbu Vs FRSC.

The Federal High Court presided over by Justice JT Tsoho held, inter alia that FRSC had no statutory powers to set deadlines for change-over to the new number plates since there was no enabling law to that effect.

As a result of the ruling by the Court, the Federal Road Safety Corps appealed the judgement in the Court of Appeal and on 31st October, 2014 the Court sitting in Lagos, unanimously held that FRSC had statutory power in line with the 1999 constitution under the FRSC (Establishment) Act, 2007 and the NRTR 2012 to regulate the use of number plates and to set deadlines for change-over to the new ones as provided for in the NRTR 2012.

In the ruling upholding the power of the Corps, the court said, “The Court below was thus right to issue the injunction to protect the respondent’s right to the enjoyment of the new number plate of his private vehicle issued on 18-03-13 to expire on 17-03-14.

“I resolved issue 3 (supra) in the respondent’s favour with a rider that the consequential order of injunction granted by the court below was tied to the lifespan of the number plate of the respondent’s private vehicle which expired on 17-03-14.

“I will allow the appeal in part. For the avoidance of doubt, the appeal succeeds only in part to the effect that Regulations 2012 has legal force and is enforceable from 01-01-13, the administrative date assigned to it by the appellant.

“The part of the decision of the court below declaring Regulations 2012 unconstitutional and without back up legal framework is hereby set aside.”

The statement added that though the decision of the Court of Appeal, Lagos has been appealed by Emmanuel Ofegbu, there is no subsisting order of stay of execution of the judgement of the Court of Appeal.

“By the above decision of the court, it follows that there is no legal impediment against the enforcement of the provisions of the NRTR 2012 as it pertains to change over to the new number plates.

“As such, the commencement of enforcement on the aforementioned is in tandem with the provisions of the law as stipulated in NRTR 2012 and the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” it read.