The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has given a seven-day ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to suspend the directive forcing car owners to register and receive a Central Motor Information System Certificate for a price of at least N6,000.
NBA-SPIDEL questioned the legal foundation for the Nigeria Police Force’s issuance of CMRIS certificates, claiming that no law gave the police the right to provide such licenses or certificates to car owners after registration at the authorised offices.
It sought an immediate halt to the issuance and enforcement of CMRIS certificates, requesting the Inspector General of Police to issue a directive to end the practice worldwide.
The association also urged for the closure of the registration website and physical registration centres, with refunds issued to individuals who had already paid.
The call was made in a letter to the Inspector General of Police, which was 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 stressed that the police’s responsibility to protect civilians and uphold the law does not include collecting money or granting certificates to car owners.
They denounced the exploitation of Nigerians’ ignorance, which led to extortion during roadside 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, Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police, has directed that the digitalized Central Motor Registry be implemented by July 29, 2024.
According to him, the goal is to update and digitise the motor vehicle registration system, thereby strengthening the country’s safety and security infrastructure.
The e-CMR is an innovative, real-time online repository of motor vehicle data intended to aid police investigations and operational activities as well as combat vehicle-related crimes like terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery.
According to the police, the switch to a computerised system will speed up the documentation and verification processes for vehicle ownership and related activities.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi, the e-CMR system will make services such as ownership change, license number, engine, and chassis/body seamless, ensuring vehicle genuineness, assisting in tracking and recovery of stolen vehicles, and preventing the sale of stolen vehicles to innocent buyers.
