Police suspend enforcement of e-CMR and warn officials against blackmail

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has indefinitely suspended the enforcement of the digitized Central Motor Vehicle Register (e-CMR).

In a statement on Sunday, police spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi said the suspension would enable “mass awareness and education” among Nigerians as part of the initiative.

Adejobi said the e-CMR programme was not a “revenue-generating platform but an initiative to digitalise policing for greater efficiency and overall safety” of Nigerians.

He added that Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun had urged police officers not to blackmail the public in the name of e-CMR certificates.

“The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has ordered an immediate suspension of the planned enforcement of the e-CMR, originally scheduled to commence on July 29, 2024,” the statement said.

“This is intended to provide comprehensive benefits and effectiveness in tackling the problem of vehicle crime and protecting vehicle ownership by individuals and businesses.

“At the same time, the IGP calls on all police officers to stop requesting e-CMR certificates as appropriate sanctions will be imposed on persons who blackmail or exploit members of the public under the pretext of not having e-CMR certificates. Enforcement of these regulations, which will only be carried out by officers in charge, has been suspended until further notice.”

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THE CONTROVERSY

On Saturday, the NPF said Enforcement of e-CMR will begin by July 29.

Adejobi had said that the e-CMR was a real-time online archive of vehicle data that would assist police investigations and combat vehicle crime.

Reacting to this development, the Nigerian Bar Association – Section of Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) called on the police to stop issuing e-CMR certificates and refund all money to vehicle owners.

The NBA-SPIDEL threatened to take legal action if the police did not take appropriate action within seven days.

The statement was signed by John Aikpokpo-Martin, Chairman of NBA-SPIDEL, and Funmi Adeogun, its Secretary.

Responding to the statement, Adejobi said the police had the right to take all measures to curb crime in the country.

Reacting to the statement, Akorede Lawal, spokesman for the national NBA leadership, said: said Aikpokpo-Martins and Adeogun did not seek the association’s consent before writing to the police.

Lawal also said that the duo will no longer serve as managing directors of NBA-SPIDEL as of February 2024.