The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has suspended the enforcement of electronic central motor registry registration for vehicle owners in the country. This decision comes after an outcry from Nigerians, who accused the police of creating an opportunity to extort vehicle owners.
The Force Spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, had announced on Saturday that the IG ordered the enforcement of the e-CMR to commence on July 29. However, the directive was met with criticism, with the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law chairman, John Aikpokpo-Martins, stating that the move was a blatant disregard for the rule of law.
Adejobi explained that the suspension was necessary to sensitize citizens on the initiative, which aims to secure vehicles and prevent vehicular crimes. He emphasized that the e-CMR is not a revenue-generating platform but an initiative to digitalize policing for effectiveness and general safety.
Adejobi highlighted the benefits of the e-CMR, including providing a firsthand database for the police to curb vehicular crimes, preventing multiple registrations of vehicles, and serving as a database for biometric and other data of vehicle owners.
The IG has ordered police officers to stop requesting e-CMR certificates from vehicle owners, and anyone caught extorting or exploiting members of the public will be sanctioned. Adejobi sought the understanding and support of Nigerians to key into the e-CMR system, which will be enforced by dedicated officers once the suspension is lifted.
