Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has suspended the enforcement of the electronic central motor registry (e-CMR) registration for vehicle owners in Nigeria.
Initially, the Force Spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, had announced on Saturday that the IG ordered the enforcement of the e-CMR to begin on July 29. This order sparked significant outcry from Nigerians, who accused the police of creating an opportunity to extort vehicle owners. Additionally, John Aikpokpo-Martins, chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law, criticized the directive as a blatant disregard for the rule of law.
However, in a statement on Sunday, Adejobi announced that the IG has suspended the enforcement of the e-CMR. He emphasized the need to educate the public about the initiative, which aims to secure vehicles.
Adejobi explained, “Following the reconfiguration and commencement of the electronic central motor registry registration process, the Police have deemed it necessary to highlight the benefits and effectiveness of the e-CMR initiative, which is designed to ensure the safety and security of all types of vehicles, including motorcycles, by collating data entered into the system by vehicle owners and acting on such to flag the vehicles if reported stolen.
“The e-CMR will provide a firsthand database to the Force for curbing vehicular crimes as dedicated officers can access real-time comprehensive data of every vehicle on their tablets. Similarly, the e-CMR will prevent multiple registrations of vehicles and serve as a database to collate biometric and other data of vehicle owners and individuals, adding value to the national database and incident report portal generated from other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies towards general security.”
Adejobi also denied that the e-CMR was a revenue-generating platform, stating, “Contrary to news making the rounds and insinuations about the e-CMR, the NPF wishes to state categorically that the e-CMR is not a revenue-generating platform but an initiative to digitalize policing for effectiveness and general safety of lives and property of Nigeria residents.”
He confirmed that the IG ordered the immediate suspension of the enforcement, initially scheduled to commence on July 29, 2024. “The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered an immediate suspension of the proposed enforcement of the e-CMR to give ample opportunity for mass enlightenment and education of all citizens and residents on the process, benefits, and effectiveness in solving the challenge of vehicle-related crimes, and protection of individual and corporate vehicle ownership,” Adejobi stated.
Adejobi sought the understanding of citizens and encouraged them to support the initiative. He warned police officers to stop requesting the e-CMR certificate from vehicle owners, adding that anyone caught would be punished. “We seek the understanding and support of all well-meaning Nigerians and residents to key into the e-CMR system. In the same vein, the IGP charges all Police officers to desist from requesting e-CMR certificates as individuals found extorting or exploiting members of the public on the guise of not having e-CMR certificates will be sanctioned accordingly as the enforcement, which will be done by only dedicated officers, has been suspended till further notice,” he added.
