By Ameh Ejekwonyilo
Abuja
For the second time, a Federal High Court has stopped the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) from imposing new drivers’ and vehicle licence on car owners.
The court declared as unconstitutional the threat by the FRSC to start arresting car owners who had not obtained the new driver’s licence even when their present licence “is still valid.”
The judgement of Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court in Abuja was sequel to a suit filed by an Abuja-based lawyer, Mr. John Mus, challenging the FRSC over threats to forcefully make every car owner to obtain a new driver and vehicle licence even when the present one is still valid.
The plaintiff had joined the FRSC and its Corp Marshal and Chief Executive, Osita Chidoka as first and second defendants in the suit.
He further held that the Corps “lacks power to forcefully ask car owners to go and renew their papers when the current is still valid,” adding that the Corps “cannot amend any existing law of the National Assembly or promulgate another one.”
Justice Adeniyi said he was mindful of the Lagos Court judgement on the same subject matter and endorsed the judicial pronouncement of the learned judge.
The court gave a mandatory order stopping the Corps from putting to effect its threat to start arresting car owners until the expiration of the extant licences.
In a judgement delivered by Justice James Tsoho, the court held that the redesigning of the old number plates was not backed by any law.
He added that the FRSC had no power to impose the redesigned number plates on vehicle owners, who had not acquired them.