e-CMR Is Not Suspended But The Enforcement, by Adewole Kehinde

On Saturday, 13th July 2024, the Nigeria Police announced the enforcement of e-CMR, which is to take place from 29th of July, 2024.

e-CMR is aimed at rejuvenating and digitalizing the motor vehicle registration system, significantly bolstering the nation’s safety and security framework.

Some Nigerians who I believe don’t even have a car were the first to kick against the e-CMR. No vehicle owner will neglect the efficiency of the e-CMR, as many vehicles have been tracked in the process of reregistering them.

Major newspaper outfits joined in publishing a press release issued in March 2024 as a fresh press release signed by suspended NBA-SPIDEL executives.

Thanks to the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), who came out to say that both Aikpokpo-Martins and Funmi Adeogun have no authority whatsoever to issue a press release on behalf of the NBA-SPIDEL or any Section or Forum of the NBA.

In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, NBA, Akorede Habeeb Lawal, said that the NBA-National Executive Council had since 29 February 2024 removed the Executive Members of SPIDEL, of which John Aikpokpo-Martins Martins and Funmi Adeogun were Chairman and Secretary, respectively, and replaced with a Caretaker Committee. Other members that were removed alongside John Aikpokpo-Martins and Funmi Adeogun are Princess Frank-Chukwuani, Chinedu Obienu, Abdullahi Karaye, Charity Ibezim, Dr Monday Ubani, Prof. Paul Ananaba SAN, Kunle Adegoke, SAN, Uju Agomoh, Esq, Kunle Edun, Esq, Okey Ohagba, Esq, Yakubu Bawa, Esq, Dorn-Claimz Enamhe, Esq, Igbeaku Evulukwu, Esq, Chinelo Ofoegbunam, Esq, Sam Ajayi Jaiye, Esq, and Chisom Onuoha, Esq.

However, the Force PRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Sunday, 14th July 2024, titled “E-CMR Police Highlights Benefits, And Efficiency Of Application To Curb Violent Crimes. As IGP Orders Suspension of Enforcement Process, Massive Enlightenment of Nigerian Residents,” said that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered an immediate suspension of the proposed enforcement of the e-CMR initially scheduled to commence on the 29th of July, 2024.

According to Adejobi, 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.

Some mischievous media went to the press to say that the e-CMR has been suspended. It is only the enforcement that was suspended and not the entire e-CMR as published.

Genuine car owners will never listen to those making noise against the e-CMR as it is aimed at providing 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.

Similarly, the e-CMR is aimed at preventing multiple registrations of vehicles and serves as a database to collate biometric and other data of vehicle owners and individuals, adding value to the national database and incident report portal generated from other ministries, departments, and agencies towards general security.

No car owners will buy a car for a whopping sum of N7 million and neglect the e-CMR, which is far less than installing a tracker on the vehicle, which is around N25,000 for the least tracking.

Also, I have never seen anybody reporting to FRSC or VIO that their car was stolen but rather go to the police station to report such an incident.

Another beauty of e-CMR is that they don’t delete data gathered on any vehicle, unlike the VIO that deletes data of any vehicle re-sold.

The Nigeria Police e-CMR offers several advantages. The e-CMR allows for quicker and more efficient handling of cases by digitising and streamlining the process. This can help reduce delays and backlogs in case management.

Also, with all case information stored electronically, it is easier to organise and access relevant data when needed. This can lead to better decision-making and coordination among different departments within the police force.

The e-CMR promotes transparency by providing a clear and traceable record of case management activities. This helps enhance accountability and build trust with the public.

The system enables accurate and secure storage of case-related data, ensuring that information is not lost or mismanaged. This can lead to improved analysis and reporting capabilities for the police force.

The e-CMR can be accessed remotely, allowing authorised personnel to work on cases from different locations. This flexibility can improve response times and overall service delivery.

Overall, the Nigeria Police e-CMR can help modernise and improve the efficiency of the case management process, leading to better outcomes for both the police force and the communities they serve.

Members of the public can obtain the digitalized CMR certificate online at https://cmris.npf.gov.ng while technical support is available at cmrtech@npfcmr.ng

Adewole Kehinde is the publisher of Swift Reporters and can be reached via 08166240846; email: kennyadewole@gmail.com