THE Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has ordered the suspension of the planned enforcement of the Electronic Central Motor Registry Registration Process (e-CMR) originally set to begin on July 29, 2024.
The enforcement has been put on hold to allow for extensive public awareness about the benefits of the e-CMR initiative.
This initiative according to the police,aims to enhance the safety and security of all vehicles, including motorcycles, by collecting information from vehicle owners and using it to identify stolen vehicles, among other purposes.
The e-CMR is said to be a tool for enhancing policing efficiency and ensuring the safety of residents rather than solely a platform for revenue generation.
The statement also warns against police officers extorting or misleading the public regarding the e-CMR certificates and declares that those found engaging in such behavior will face consequences.
The IGP decided to suspend the enforcement, following an ultimatum from the Nigerian Bar Association’s Section on Public Interest, which questioned the legal basis for the police issuing CMRIS certificates.
The NBA demanded the immediate cessation of issuing and enforcing CMRIS certificates, as no existing law authorizes the police to issue such certificates to vehicle owners post-registration.
The association further called for the closure of registration centers and online registration platforms, with refunds to be issued to those who had already paid for the certificates.