The Nigerian police have announced the suspension of the enforcement of the controversial e-CMR on vehicle owners.
The police had earlier announced that the enforcement would commence on 29th July which would have led to sanctions on vehicle owners who do not posses the e-CMR. PREMIUM TIMES reported that many Nigerians condemned the earlier announcement and the Nigeria Bar Association gave the police one week to rescind the decision.
The critics argued that it was not the duty of the police to issue such vehicle documents. In his statement on Sunday, police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi defended the decision of the police to issue the certificate to vehicle owners who pay for it.
“The e-CMR will provide a firsthand database to the Force for curbing vehicular crimes as dedicated officers can access real-time comprehensive data of every vehicle on their tablets,” he wrote.
Mr Adejobi said police chief Kayode Egbetokun suspended the enforcement of the certificate to allow for ‘mass enlightenment’ of Nigerians.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, 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 protection of individual and corporate vehicle ownership,” Mr Adejobi wrote. Credit: premiumtimesng.com
