•Force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi
Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, has reacted to the letter written to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to stop the issuance of Central Motor Information System (CMRIS) Certificate to Nigerians.
In a statement on his X verified handle, Adejobi described the seven-day ultimatum given to the IGP by the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, to reverse the CMRIS Certificate issuance to motorists as fake.
Recall that NBA in a letter signed by John Aikpokpo-Martins, Chairman, and Funmi Adeogun, Secretary, questioned the legal propriety which enables the Nigeria Police Force to issue Central Motor Information System (CMRIS) Certificates to vehicle owners, particularly when it is not clearly stated in any laws (at least to our knowledge) that the Nigeria Police has any authority to issue car licenses or certificates of any nature to vehicle owners after due registration of vehicles in the appropriate office.
NBA further noted that any such certificate being issued by the Nigeria Police Force without any legal backing is outright illegal, null, and void and therefore of no consequence.
The association therefore reiterated the fact that the duty of the Nigeria Police is protecting the citizens and enforcing the law does not extend to collecting monies and/or issuing certificates to vehicle owners.
“This illegality has to stop immediately. Consequently, the NBA-SPIDEL states that these acts of illegality must not continue unabated and therefore unequivocally demand that the Nigeria Police immediately stop the issuance and/or demand for the Central Motor Information System (CMRIS) Certificate.
“NBA-SPIDEL, therefore, humbly but strongly demands that you issue a directive immediately stopping the issuance of/demand for the CMRIS certificates nationwide.
“NBA-SPIDEL further demands that the registration website and every other physical registration centres be shut down, and every money already collected from Nigerians be refunded to them within 3 days of the receipt of this notice.
“Please note that failure, neglect or refusal to comply with this lawful demand within 7 days of the receipt of this letter will compel NBA-SPIDEL to seek appropriate sanctions in court against your esteemed office and the Nigeria Police Force”, the association said in a statement.
However, reacting today, Adejobi, said: “This is unfounded, fake, and misleading. The NBA as a body will react to this. Stop spreading fake news.
“Who are those who made the statement or declaration, and in what capacity. I challenge you to share the press statement with me. Then we can talk. Do your investigation on this.
“The police have the right and powers to initiate any approach to curb crimes and criminality in Nigeria, as its applicable in other climes.
“The police have been issuing CMR for decades, so it’s not even a new strategy or document. No agency can take the police up on this initiative. They will rather key into it, harmonise the system for the good of the country, and it’s citizenry. Thanks.”
