The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the suspension of the proposed enforcement process on the Electronic Central Motor Registry Registration Process (e-CMR), initially scheduled to commence on July 29, 2024.
This decision aims to allow for comprehensive public enlightenment on the benefits and effectiveness of the e-CMR initiative, which is designed to enhance the safety and security of all types of vehicles, including motorcycles, by collating and acting on data reported by vehicle owners, such as flagging stolen vehicles.
The e-CMR is not intended as a revenue-generating platform but as a means to digitalize policing for greater effectiveness and the overall safety of lives and property in Nigeria. Vehicle owners are encouraged to obtain the digitalized CMR certificate online at https://cmris.npf.gov.ng.
The IGP has also warned all police officers against requesting e-CMR certificates and has promised sanctions for any officers found exploiting the public over the lack of these certificates.
The suspension follows an ultimatum from the Nigerian Bar Association’s Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), which questioned the legal basis for the Nigeria Police Force’s issuance of the CMRIS Certificates.
The NBA-SPIDEL demanded the immediate halt of the issuance and enforcement of the CMRIS Certificates, as well as the shutdown of the registration website and physical registration centers, with refunds to those who had already paid.
The association’s leaders, John Aikpokpo-Martins and Funmi Adeogun, argued that no law authorizes the police to issue such certificates following vehicle registration at the appropriate offices.