The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has initiated legal action against the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, regarding the implementation of the Central Motor Information System (CMRIS) for vehicle owners nationwide.
Introduced by the police in December 2023, CMRIS aims to enhance the police’s database with essential information about vehicle owners.
However, the NBA-SPIDEL highlights that obtaining the CMRIS certificate from the Nigeria Police Force requires a fee of N6,000, which they deem illegal.
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In a letter dated January 29, NBA-SPIDEL’s Chairman, John Aikpokpo-Martins, and Secretary, Funmi Adeogun, demanded the IG to cease the issuance of the certificate within seven days.
Upon the IG’s non-compliance, the NBA-SPIDEL officials filed a court application to halt the issuance of the certificate by the IG and the Nigeria Police Force.
The plaintiffs argue that neither the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria nor the Police Act grants the Nigeria Police Force, under the IG’s command, the authority to maintain a motor registry or issue certificates of identification to Nigerians.
They also assert that the Nigeria Police Force lacks the mandate to charge fees for the CMRIS certificate issuance, as it is not a revenue-generating agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
