The Nigeria Bar Association Section on Public Interest, NBA-SPIDEL, has over the weekend issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, Ph.D, to stop the directive issued to vehicle owners to register and obtain a Central Motor Information System Certificate for a fee of not less than N6,000.

NBA-SPIDEL, in its letter addressed to the Inspector General of Police, and co-signed by NBA-SPIDEL Chairman and Secretary, John Aikpokpo-Martins and Funmi Adeogun respectively questioned the legal basis for the police authorities’ issuance of the CMRIS Certificates.

The revered professional association of lawyers states that no law had granted the police the authority to issue such licences or certificates to vehicle owners following vehicle registration at the appropriate offices.

Therefore, the NBA directed an immediate stoppage to the issuance and enforcement of the CMRIS Certificates, urging the Inspector General of Police to issue a further directive stopping the practice nationwide.

Without further hesitation, the association also demanded a shutdown of the registration website and physical registration centres, with refunds to be made to those who had already paid.

The NBA letter to the IGP states: “Any such certificate being issued by the Nigeria Police Force without legal backing is outright illegal, null, and void, and therefore of no consequence.”

It emphasised that the police’s duty to protect citizens and enforce the law does not extend to collecting money or issuing certificates to vehicle owners.

Equally condemned is the exploitation of Nigerians’ ignorance, resulting in extortion during road searches.

“Failure, neglect, or refusal to comply with this lawful demand within seven days of receipt of this letter will compel NBA-SPIDEL to seek appropriate sanctions in court against your esteemed office and the Nigeria Police Force, ” the letter concluded.

The Nigeria Police Force had earlier issued a statement directing vehicle owners in the country to obtain the e-CMR certificate for a specified fee before July 29,2024. Failure to do this has dire consequences it stated.

However, the Police in its statement predicated its decision on security reasons.