The Inspector General of the Nigerian Police Force, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the suspension of the proposed enforcement of the Electronic Central Motor Registry Registration Process (e-CMR).
The e-CMR which was initially scheduled to commence on July 29th, 2024 has been postponed to allow for extensive public education on the benefits and effectiveness of the e-CMR initiative. According to the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, this initiative is designed to enhance the safety and security of all types of vehicles, including motorcycles. The e-CMR system will collate data submitted by vehicle owners and use it to flag vehicles reported as stolen, among other functionalities.
The statement emphasized that the e-CMR is not a revenue-generating platform but an effort to digitalize policing for improved effectiveness and the general safety of Nigerian residents. The public is encouraged to obtain the digitalized CMR certificate online at https://cmris.npf.gov.ng. The IGP also warned police officers to refrain from requesting e-CMR certificates and stated that those found extorting or exploiting the public under the pretext of the e-CMR certificate would be sanctioned.
The suspension follows an ultimatum from the Nigerian Bar Association’s Section on Public Interest, demanding an immediate reversal of the directive. The NBA-SPIDEL Chairman, John Aikpokpo-Martins, and Secretary, Funmi Adeogun, questioned the legal basis for the Nigeria Police Force’s issuance of the CMRIS Certificates. They argued that no law grants the police authority to issue such licenses or certificates to vehicle owners, as other appropriate offices handle vehicle registration.
The association called for an immediate halt to the issuance and enforcement of the CMRIS Certificates, the shutdown of the registration website and physical registration centers, and refunds to those who had already paid for the certificates.
