Facing push-back from Nigerians, the Nigerian Police have announced the suspension of the enforcement of the controversial electronic Central Motor Registry (e-CMR) which it made compulsory for vehicle owners.
It had earlier announced that the enforcement would commence on 29th July which would have led to sanctions on vehicle owners who do not posses the e-CMR.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Public Interest which had earlier issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to stop the directive requiring vehicle owners to register and obtain a Central Motor Registry System (CMRIS) certificate for a fee of not less than N6,000.
In a letter to the Inspector General of Police co-signed by NBA-SPIDEL Chairman, John Aikpokpo-Martins and Secretary, Funmi Adeogun, 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.
Earlier, the Force Spokesperson faulted the NBA-SPIDEL position, saying no agency can take the Police up on the initiative, adding that it has been issuing CMR for decades, so it’s not a new strategy or document.
But in a statement later on Sunday, the Police Spokesperson defended the decision of the Police to issue the certificate to vehicle owners who pay for it as “the e-CMR will provide a firsthand database to the Force for curbing vehicular crimes as dedicated officers can access real-time comprehensive data of every vehicle on their tablets.”
Mr Adejobi said Police Chief Egbetokun suspended the enforcement of the certificate to allow for ‘mass enlightenment’ of Nigerians.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has ordered an immediate suspension of the proposed enforcement of the e-CMR initially scheduled to commence on the 29th of July, 2024.
“This is to give ample opportunity for mass enlightenment and education of all citizens and residents on the process, benefits and effectiveness in solving the challenge of vehicle related crimes, and protection of individual and corporate vehicle ownership,” Mr Adejobi wrote.
Adejobi’s full statement reads:
PRESS RELEASE
E-CMR: POLICE HIGHLIGHTS BENEFITS, EFFICIENCY OF APPLICATION TO CURB VIOLENT CRIMES
As IGP Orders Suspension of Enforcement Process, Massive Enlightenment of Nigerian Residents
“Following the reconfiguration and commencement of the electronic central motor registry registration process (e-CMR), the Police has deemed it necessary to highlight the benefits and effectiveness of the e-CMR initiative which is designed to ensure the safety and security of all types of vehicles including motorcycles by collating data imputed into the system by vehicle owners and acting on such to flag the vehicles if reported stolen.
“The e-CMR will provide a firsthand database to the Force for curbing vehicular crimes as dedicated officers can access real-time comprehensive data of every vehicle on their tablets. Similarly, the e-CMR will prevent multiple registration of vehicles and serve as a database to collate biometric and other data of vehicle owners and individuals, adding value to the national database and incident report portal generated from other Ministries, Departments and Agencies towards general security.
“Furthermore, contrary to news making the round and insinuations about the e-CMR, the NPF wishes to state categorically that the e-CMR is not a revenue generating platform but an initiative to digitalize policing for effectiveness and general safety of lives and property of Nigeria residents.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has ordered an immediate suspension of the proposed enforcement of the e-CMR initially scheduled to commence on the 29th of July, 2024. This is to give ample opportunity for mass enlightenment and education of all citizens and residents on the process, benefits and effectiveness in solving the challenge of vehicle related crimes, and protection of individual and corporate vehicle ownership.
“Members of the public are urged to obtain the digitalized CMR certificate online at cmris.npf.gov.ng. For further inquiries, individuals can contact the 24/7 hotline (02018870133), CMR Command Centre at FHQ Abuja (08117777666, 09169892000) and FHQ Annex Lagos (08117777555, 09169891000). Technical support is also available at cmrtech@npfcmr.ng.”
