The Nigerian Bar Association’s Public Interest Section has given the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, seven days to withdraw the directive requiring vehicle owners to register and obtain a Central Motor Information System Certificate for a fee of at least N6,000.
NBA-SPIDEL queried the legal grounds for the Nigeria Police Force’s issuance of CMRIS Certificates, contending that no legislative provision authorizes the police to issue licenses or certificates to vehicle owners subsequent to registration at the relevant agencies.
NBA-SPIDEL has demanded that the Inspector General of Police order an immediate stop to the issuance and enforcement of CMRIS Certificates, effective 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.”
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 a sophisticated online platform that stores motor vehicle data in real-time, aimed at supporting law enforcement investigations and operations, and tackling vehicle-related criminal activities like terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery.
The transition to a digital system, the police explain, will result in a more organized and simplified process for managing vehicle ownership documentation and verification, reducing bureaucratic hurdles and increasing overall efficiency.
In a statement on Saturday, Muyiwa Adejobi, Force spokesperson, 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.”
