The Nigeria Bar Association Section on Public Interest has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to stop the directive requiring vehicle owners to register and obtain a Central Motor Information System Certificate for a fee of not less than N6,000.
NBA-SPIDEL questioned the legal basis for the Nigeria Police Force’s issuance of the CMRIS Certificates, stating that no law had granted the police the authority to issue such licences or certificates to vehicle owners following vehicle registration at the appropriate offices.
It demanded an immediate halt to the issuance and enforcement of the CMRIS Certificates, urging the Inspector General of Police to issue a directive stopping the practice nationwide.
The association also called for the shutdown of the registration website and physical registration centres, with refunds to be made to those who had already paid.
It made the call in a letter addressed to the Inspector General of Police, and co-signed by NBA-SPIDEL Chairman, John Aikpokpo-Martins; and Secretary, Funmi Adeogun.
It 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.”
It emphasised 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, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the enforcement of the digitalised Central Motor Registry by July 29, 2024.
This, according to him, is to modernise and digitise the motor vehicle registration system, bolstering 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, and operational activities, and combat vehicle-related crimes, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery.
The transition to a digitalised system, according to the police, will streamline the 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 in part, “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 the 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.”
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