The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has come down heavily on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, for issuing an order for enforcement of Central Motor Information System Certificate on all motorists in Nigeria.
Hence, NBA’s Section on Public Interest has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the IGP, to stop the directive requiring vehicle owners to register and obtain the 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.
The association demanded an immediate halt to the issuance and enforcement of the CMRIS Certificates.
It also called for the shutdown of the registration website and physical registration centres, with refunds to be made to those who had already paid.
NBA 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.
According to the statement, “Any such certificate being issued by the Nigeria Police Force without legal backing is outright illegal, null, and void, and therefore of no consequence.”
Condemning the exploitation of Nigerians’ ignorance, resulting in extortion during road searches, NBA said “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.”
It would be recalled that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had 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.
