The legislature should intervene in questionable police actions

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, recently ordered the suspension of the enforcement of the electronic Central Motor Vehicle Register (e-CMR) registration process, but this suspension was to be followed by further action as this enforcement was not lawfully supported in the first place.

Development diaries reports that Muyiwa Adejobi, Police Spokesperson, pointed out in a statement that e-CMR is not a profit-making platform but an initiative to digitize police work in order to make it more efficient and ensure the security of citizens’ lives and property.

We are concerned that this initiative is an abuse of the primary role of the Directorate of Road Services, which is legally vested in them. The Nigeria Police Force is not legally empowered to issue any kind of registration or certificate to vehicle owners after the vehicles have been duly registered with the relevant authority.

This attack undermines the rule of law and also creates unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles for vehicle owners who have already completed the proper registration with the relevant authorities.

One question that arises is: what will the legislators do in the face of this development? They are there to represent the people, but while they are there, Nigerians will be forced to pay illegally excessive taxes.

Without the action of the Public Interest and Development Law Section (NBA-SPIDEL) of the Nigerian Bar Association, the IGP would not have given the order to stay the execution.

Given these developments, it is to be expected that the House Committee on Police should have acted quickly and decisively.

The police should concentrate on their primary duty of maintaining law and order, rather than engaging in activities that are outside their jurisdiction and contribute to unnecessary confusion and inconvenience to the public.

Development diaries joins NBA-SPIDEL in calling for the closure of the registration portal and physical registration centers and for refunds to those who have already paid.

We further call on the House Committee on Police Affairs, headed by Abubakar Yalleman, to urgently intervene against this questionable police action.

The Committee should also advocate for the implementation of clear policies and legislative measures that clearly outline the responsibilities of the various government agencies with regard to vehicle registration and licensing, in order to prevent future abuses and to ensure that all measures are in accordance with the law.

Image source: Nigerian Police