The Nigerian police have announced the suspension of the enforcement of the controversial e-CMR on vehicle owners and stated a reason for the development.
Muyi wa Adejobi, the police spokesperson in a statement on Sunday said the police chief Kayode Egbetokun suspended the enforcement of the certificate to allow for ‘mass enlightenment’ of Nigerians.
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 possess the e-CMR.
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.
“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.
Many Nigerians have criticized the plan saying that the police do not have the right to issue such documents.
