NBA-SPIDEL has challenged the legal grounds for the Nigeria Police Force’s issuance of CMRIS Certificates, arguing that no law grants the police authority to issue such licenses or certificates to vehicle owners post-registration.

In a letter addressed to the Inspector General of Police, co-signed by NBA-SPIDEL Chairman John Aikpokpo-Martins and Secretary Funmi Adeogun, the association called for an immediate halt to the issuance and enforcement of the CMRIS Certificates. They also demanded the shutdown of the registration website and physical registration centers, with refunds issued to those who had already paid.

The letter 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.” NBA-SPIDEL emphasized that the police’s role in safeguarding the public and upholding the law does not include seizing funds or granting licenses to car owners.

The association criticized the exploitation of Nigerians’ lack of awareness, leading to demands for money during traffic checks. 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.”

IGP’s Order On CMRIS

Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has mandated the implementation of the digitalized Central Motor Registry by July 29, 2024. This initiative aims to modernize and digitize the motor vehicle registration system, enhancing the nation’s safety and security framework.

The e-CMR is a state-of-the-art, real-time online database of motor vehicle information designed to assist police investigations and operational activities and combat vehicle-related crimes such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery. The police stated that shifting to a digitalized system will simplify vehicle ownership documentation, verification processes, and related transactions.

A police statement reads: “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 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, license number, engine, and 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.