FRSC suffers fresh legal knockout over new driver’s license

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday stopped the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, from imposing new drivers and vehicle license on car owners whose papers are still valid.

The high court, in a judgment, declared as unconstitutional threat by the FRSC to start arresting car owners who have not obtained the new driver's license even when their present license is still valid.

Yesterday's verdict on the issue is the second in the last three months.

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos had earlier entered similar judgement on the issue recently.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered the latest verdict on the matter.

Justice Ademola's suit was sequel to a suit filed by an Abuja based lawyer, Mr. John Musa challenging the FRSC over threats to forcefully make every car owner to obtain a new driver and vehicle license even when the present one is still valid.

He also challenged threat by the commission to start arresting car owners who fail to obtain the new license as from October 1. The plaintiff had joined the FRSC and its Corp Marshal and Chief Executive, Osita Chidoka as first and second defendants in the suit.

Justice Ademola Adeniyi while delivering judgment dismissed the preliminary objections brought by the defendants on the ground that they were all misconception of the law.

He further held that the commission lacks power to forcefully ask car owners to go and renew their papers when the current is still valid adding that the commission cannot amend any existing law of the National Assembly or promulgate another one.

Justice Adeniyi noted that he was mindful of the Lagos Court judgment on the same subject matter and endorsed the judicial pronouncement of the learned judge.