The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has welcomed a recent ruling by the Federal High Court, which reaffirmed its legal authority to penalise motorists who violate traffic laws, particularly those related to the alteration of vehicle number plates.The ruling, delivered on June 23, 2025, by Justice Musa Kakaki at the Federal High Court in Lagos, was in response to Suit No. FHC/L/CS/2367/2024 filed by Ojo Victor Olomi against the Federal Road Safety Commission.In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Olusegun Ogungbemide, explained that the case stemmed from the applicant’s unlawful hand-painting of his vehicle’s number plate. This modification rendered the plate non-reflective, in breach of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2016, which mandate that all number plates must remain reflective for visibility, security, and enforcement purposes.Ogungbemide stated that the court dismissed Olomi’s claims challenging the legality of the fine imposed on him and the confiscation of his driver’s licence by FRSC officials.According to him, Justice Kakaki ruled that the applicant’s actions constituted a clear violation of the law. The court also held that the seizure of the driver’s licence did not infringe on the applicant’s fundamental rights, as alleged.The judgment further clarified the distinction between this case and the earlier decision in Chinwike Ezebube v. FRSC, reaffirming that tampering with number plates, including hand-painting, remains a punishable traffic offence under current regulations.Describing the ruling as a landmark decision, Ogungbemide said it validates the statutory powers of the FRSC to enforce traffic safety laws and ensure compliance with vehicle identification standards.“This verdict serves as a strong judicial endorsement of the FRSC’s responsibilities in maintaining road safety and enforcing traffic regulations, especially as they relate to vehicle identification,” he said.In response to the judgment, the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Malam Shehu Mohammed, urged motorists nationwide to refrain from acts that compromise road safety, including altering or defacing number plates.He also cautioned the public against misinterpreting previous court rulings and encouraged them to rely on the legal clarity provided by this latest decision.“The FRSC remains steadfast in its mission to promote a safer motoring environment across the country. Our operations will continue to reflect professionalism, integrity, and full respect for the rights of all Nigerians,” Mohammed stated.