The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Section on Public Interest has given Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, a seven-day ultimatum to revoke the directive that mandates vehicle owners to register and obtain a Central Motor Information System Certificate, which costs a minimum of N6,000.
NBA-SPIDEL questioned the legal foundation for the Nigeria Police Force’s issuance of CMRIS Certificates, asserting that no law grants the police the authority to issue such licenses or certificates to vehicle owners after they have registered their vehicles at the appropriate offices.
It called for an immediate stop to the issuance and enforcement of the CMRIS Certificates, urging the Inspector General of Police to issue a nationwide directive to stop the practice.
The association also demanded the closure of the registration website and physical registration centers, and proposed refunds for those who had already paid.
issued the request in a letter addressed to the Inspector General of Police, signed jointly by NBA-SPIDEL Chairman, John Aikpokpo-Martins, and Secretary, Funmi Adeogun.
It declared, “Any certificate issued by the Nigeria Police Force without legal authorization is completely illegal, null, and void, and therefore of no consequences.”
It highlighted that the police’s responsibility to protect citizens and enforce the law does not include collecting money or issuing certificates to vehicle owners.
They denounced the exploitation of Nigerians’ ignorance, resulting in extortion during road inspections.
The letter warned, “If this lawful demand is not met within seven days of receiving this letter, NBA-SPIDEL will be compelled to pursue proper legal sanctions against your office and the Nigeria Police Force.”
