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Reactions to the suspension of eCMR enforcement by the police

Theo

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered an immediate suspension of the enforcement of the Electronic Motor Vehicle Register (e-CMR) scheduled to commence on July 29.

Police spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi said on Saturday that the IG had ordered that the enforcement of the e-CMR should begin on July 29.

The warrant sparked an outcry among the Nigerian population, who accused the police of creating an opportunity to blackmail vehicle owners.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Public Interest and Development Law Section of the Nigerian Bar Association, John Aikpokpo-Martins, said Egbetokun’s directive to begin enforcing the e-CMR was a blatant disregard for the rule of law.

However, in another statement on Sunday, Adejobi said the IGP had now suspended the enforcement of the e-CMR, adding that the suspension was to provide ample opportunity for widespread awareness and education of the public on the process, benefits and effectiveness of the e-CMR.

The police spokesman said the IGP had asked police officers to refrain from requiring electronic CMR certificates.

According to him, sanctions will be imposed on officials who blackmail or exploit the public under the pretext of not having an e-CMR certificate.

Adejobi said enforcement would only be carried out by special officers from a date to be announced.

He said the e-CMR was designed to address the challenges of vehicle crime and protect private and business vehicle ownership.

Adejobi said the registration would help collect the data entered into the system by vehicle owners and act on it to flag the vehicles when they are reported stolen.

According to him, “contrary to the news and insinuations circulating about the e-CMR, the Nigerian Police would like to categorically state that the e-CMR is not a money-making platform.”

These are some of the reactions from Nigerians on social media:

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