The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to reconsider his directive requiring vehicle owners to register and obtain a Central Motor Information System Certificate for a fee not less than N6,000.
The Association in a letter addressed to the IGP, and co-signed by NBA-SPIDEL Chairman, John Aikpokpo-Martins, and Secretary, Funmi Adeogun, questioned the legal basis for the directive
It stated that no law empowered the police to issue such licences or certificates to vehicle owners following vehicle registration at the appropriate offices.
The Association, ultimately demanded an immediate halt to the issuance and enforcement of the C.M.R.I.S certificates, urging the Inspector General of Police to issue a directive to that effect
It stressed the need for the shutdown of the registration website and physical registration centres and refunds made to those who had already paid.
The NBA stated that any such certificate being issued by the Nigeria Police Force without legal backing would be considered illegal, null and void and therefore of no consequence.
The Association maintained that it was the duty of the police to protect citizens and enforce the law but not to collect money or issue certificates to vehicle owners.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had ordered the enforcement of the digitalised Central Motor Registry by the 29th of July, 2024.
The directive, according to the Inspector General of Police, is aimed at modernizing the motor vehicle registration system and bolster the nation’s safety and security framework.