The Nigeria Bar Association Section on Public Interest (NBA-SPIDEL) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, demanding the cessation of the directive requiring vehicle owners to register and obtain a Central Motor Information System (CMRIS) Certificate for a fee of no less than N6,000.
NBA-SPIDEL questioned the legal basis for the Nigeria Police Force’s issuance of these CMRIS Certificates, stating that no law authorizes the police to issue such licenses or certificates to vehicle owners following vehicle registration at the appropriate offices.
The association called for an immediate halt to the issuance and enforcement of the CMRIS Certificates and urged the Inspector General of Police to issue a nationwide directive stopping this practice. Additionally, they demanded the shutdown of the registration website and physical registration centers, with refunds to those who had already paid.
The call was made in a letter addressed to the Inspector General of Police, co-signed by NBA-SPIDEL Chairman, John Aikpokpo-Martins, and Secretary, Funmi Adeogun. The letter stated, “Any such certificate being issued by the Nigeria Police Force without legal backing is outright illegal, null, and void, and therefore of no consequence.”
NBA-SPIDEL emphasized that the police’s duty to protect citizens and enforce the law does not extend to collecting money or issuing certificates to vehicle owners. They condemned the exploitation of Nigerians’ ignorance, resulting in extortion during road searches.
The letter warned, “Failure, neglect, or refusal to comply with this lawful demand within seven days of receipt of this letter will compel NBA-SPIDEL to seek appropriate sanctions in court against your esteemed office and the Nigeria Police Force.”
**Police to Begin Enforcement**
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has ordered the enforcement of the digitalized Central Motor Registry (e-CMR) by July 29, 2024. This move aims to modernize and digitize the motor vehicle registration system, enhancing the nation’s safety and security framework.
The e-CMR is an advanced, real-time online repository of motor vehicle data designed to support police investigations, operational activities, and combat vehicle-related crimes, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery. The transition to a digitalized system is expected to streamline documentation and verification processes for vehicle ownership and related transactions.
In a statement on Saturday, Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi said that following the IGP’s directives, the e-CMR system will make services like change of ownership, license number, engine, and chassis/body seamless, ensuring vehicle genuineness, aiding in tracking and recovery of stolen vehicles, and preventing the sale of stolen vehicles to innocent buyers.
The statement read, “As part of the efforts of the IG to enhance the security of lives and property, the Nigeria Police Force is set to commence the enforcement of the digitalized Central Motor Registry (e-CMR) within the next 14 days, specifically on July 29, 2024, to rejuvenate and digitalize the motor vehicle registration system, significantly bolstering our nation’s safety and security framework.
“Following the directives of the IGP, services such as change of ownership, change of license number, change of engine, and change of chassis/body would become seamless as the e-CMR system would ensure the validation of vehicle genuineness and ownership, enhancing the ability to track and recover stolen vehicles effectively, and preventing the purchase of stolen vehicles by innocent buyers.”
Source: Punch