The Nigeria Bar Association Section on Public Interest (NBA-SPIDEL) has raised concerns over the issuance of Central Motor Information System (CMRIS) Certificates by the Nigeria Police Force, demanding an immediate halt to the practice.
Reports indicate that vehicle owners are being required to register and obtain these certificates at a cost of not less than N6,000, with the police enforcing compliance and collecting large sums of money from citizens.
In a statement signed by NBA-SPIDEL officials, the association questions the legal authority of the police to issue CMRIS Certificates, highlighting the absence of any provision in the law for such actions.
NBA-SPIDEL states further that any such certificate being issued by the Nigeria Police Force without any legal backing is outright illegal, null, and void and therefore of no consequence.
“NBA-SPIDEL, therefore, uses this opportunity to reiterate the fact that the duty of the Nigeria Police in protecting the citizens and enforcing the law does not extend to collecting monies and/or issuing certificates to vehicle owners. Regrettably, the men of the Nigeria Police Force have since taken advantage of the ignorance of unsuspecting Nigerians by extorting large sums of money from them for failure to present the CMRIS certificate on demand during road search.”
The association has demanded the immediate cessation of the illegal issuance and demand for CMRIS certificates, calling for the shutdown of registration websites and centers, as well as the refund of money collected from Nigerians within three days. Failure to comply within seven days will prompt NBA-SPIDEL to pursue legal action against the police.
However, in response to this statement, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has suspended the proposed enforcement of the e-CMR until further notice.
In a statement signed by the force spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi stated that the decision is to allow for mass awareness and understanding among citizens.
The NPF has clarified that the e-CMR is not a revenue-generating platform but a digitalisation initiative aimed at improving policing effectiveness and general safety.
“The e-CMR collects data inputted by vehicle owners and uses it to flag stolen vehicles. The system provides real-time comprehensive data accessible to dedicated officers through tablets, helping to curb vehicular crimes. It also prevents multiple vehicle registrations and serves as a database for biometric and other data of vehicle owners and individuals, enhancing national security.”
