Inspector General Suspends Enforcement of e-CMR for Vehicle Owners
In response to public outcry and legal concerns, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has suspended the enforcement of the electronic Central Motor Registry (e-CMR) registration for vehicle owners in Nigeria. This decision comes shortly after the initial announcement that enforcement would begin on July 29, 2024. The directive had sparked significant backlash from citizens who feared it would lead to extortion by the police.
Public Reactions and Legal Concerns
The announcement of the e-CMR enforcement drew criticism from various quarters. Nigerians voiced concerns that the initiative could become a tool for police extortion. John Aikpokpo-Martins, chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association’s Section on Public Interest and Development Law, criticized the directive, calling it a blatant disregard for the rule of law.
Suspension and Public Sensitization
In a statement released on Sunday, police spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi clarified that the IG had decided to suspend the e-CMR enforcement. Adejobi emphasized the need for thorough public sensitization about the initiative, highlighting that it is designed to enhance vehicle security by creating a comprehensive database for all types of vehicles, including motorcycles.
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. This system is designed to ensure the safety and security of all types of vehicles by collating data inputted by vehicle owners and acting on it to flag vehicles if reported stolen.”
Benefits of the e-CMR System
The e-CMR is expected to provide several benefits:
-Enhanced Vehicle Security: The system will create a real-time database accessible to police officers, aiding in the quick identification and recovery of stolen vehicles.
– Prevention of Multiple Registrations: It will help prevent multiple registrations of the same vehicle, ensuring a more accurate national vehicle database.
– Integration with National Databases: The e-CMR will collate biometric and other data of vehicle owners, adding value to the national database and incident report portals generated by various government agencies.
Adejobi was keen to clarify that the e-CMR is not a revenue-generating platform but a digital initiative aimed at improving policing effectiveness and ensuring the safety of lives and property.
Immediate Suspension and Future Plans
The Inspector General’s immediate suspension of the e-CMR enforcement order is intended to allow for mass enlightenment and education of citizens about the process and benefits of the system. Adejobi stated, “The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered an immediate suspension of the proposed enforcement of the e-CMR initially scheduled to commence on the 29th of July, 2024. This is 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 protecting individual and corporate vehicle ownership.”
Appeal for Public Support and Police Accountability
Adejobi appealed to the public for their understanding and support in adopting the e-CMR system. He also warned police officers against requesting e-CMR certificates from vehicle owners during the suspension period, emphasizing that any officer found exploiting or extorting the public under the guise of the e-CMR would be sanctioned.
“In light of this, we seek the understanding and support of all well-meaning Nigerians and residents to key into the e-CMR system. The IGP charges all police officers to desist from requesting e-CMR certificates. Individuals found extorting or exploiting members of the public under the guise of not having e-CMR certificates will be sanctioned accordingly, as the enforcement will be done by only dedicated officers and has been suspended till further notice,” Adejobi added.
The suspension of the e-CMR enforcement highlights the importance of public sensitization and adherence to the rule of law in implementing new initiatives. The Nigerian Police Force aims to ensure that the e-CMR system, once fully understood and accepted by the public, will significantly enhance vehicle security and contribute to a more robust national database for crime prevention and control. The coming months will be crucial in educating citizens about the benefits of the e-CMR and ensuring that the initiative is implemented transparently and effectively.
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