NBA, SPIDEL bicker over police e-CMR levy

The Nigerian Bar Association has disclaimed a statement on the recently-introduced digitalised Central Motor Registry, issued by John Aikpokpo-Martins and Funmi Adeogun on behalf of the NBA-Section on Public Interest and Development Law.

The Nigeria Police Force, on Saturday, announced that it would commence the enforcement of the e-CMR by July 29.

In a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, the Police said the move was part of efforts to curb vehicle theft and crime in the country.

The statement also said vehicle owners were to pay N5,375 for the e-CMR.

Reacting on Saturday, NBA-SPIDEL, in a statement signed by Akkpokpo Martins and Adeogun, asked the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to withdraw his order on the implementation of the e-CMR, which it described as illegal.

The group questioned the legal propriety which enabled the Police to issue the certificates to vehicle owners, particularly when it was not clearly stated in any laws (at least to its knowledge) that the Nigeria Police has any authority to issue car licences or certificates of any nature to vehicle owners, after due registration of vehicles in the appropriate office.

The NBA, on Sunday, however, clarified that the statement from NBA-SPIDEL was neither authorised nor sanctioned by the association.

The PUNCH reported on March 4, 2024, that the NBA National Executive Council, on February 29, 2024, ordered the immediate removal of the executive committee of the SPIDEL.

It accused Aikpoko-Martins of undermining the authority of the NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), and the council.

The sack order followed SPIDEL’s lawsuit seeking to stop Egbetokun from implementing the e-CMR and another suit seeking to remove the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, from office, citing alleged violations of the National Youth Service Corps Act.

SPIDEL also approached the court to stop the annual levy for a certificate of proof of vehicle ownership in the country.

In a statement issued through the National Publicity Secretary, Akorede Lawal, the NBA disclaimed the SPIDEL statement, stating that it was not issued with the consent and authority of the NBA.

“Both John Aikpokpo-Martins and Funmi Adeogun have no authority whatsoever to issue a statement on behalf of the NBA-SPIDEL or any section or forum of the NBA,” Lawal said.

He listed the caretaker committee of NBA-SPIDEL as Sir Steve Adehi (SAN), Chairman; Yakubu Philemon (SAN), Alternate Chairman; Ben Oji, Secretary; Ronke Adeyemi, Member and Eva Amadi, Treasurer.

The association condemned the actions of Aikpokpo-Martins and Adeogun, labelling them as “criminal, illegal, and gross misconduct.”

While disclaiming the said statement, the NBA, however, expressed concerns about the introduction of the e-CMR certificate by the Nigeria Police Force.

Lawal stated, “The NBA acknowledges that the issuance of Central Motor Registry Information System certificate is one that the Nigeria Police Force ought to critically reconsider, in view of the various levies that Nigerian citizens and businesses are already subjected to, and the present unfavourable economic condition of the country.”

He said the NBA would organise a one-day conference on July 18, with the theme, “Tax, Tariffs, and the Taxpayer: Exploring the Impact on the Public and Economy.”

The conference, he said, aimed to explore the impact of multiple taxations, tariffs, and levies on the Nigerian populace and businesses.

Lawal said the NBA President, Maikyau, had reached out to the leadership of the police regarding the new levy.

“The NBA President has reached out to the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force on the introduction of this new levy and will engage the IGP and, if the need be, the Presidency, on the need to reconsider this, or any other government policy that seeks to impose any additional burden on Nigerians,” he said.