‘They’re not authorised’ — NBA disclaims lawyers claiming police can’t issue CMRIS certificate

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has issued a disclaimer against a statement claiming the police lack the legal right to issue a central motor information system (CMRIS) certificate in the country.

John Aikpokpo-Martins and Funmi Adeogun had written a letter to the police on behalf of the public interest arm of the association, NBA-SPIDEL, asking the force to stop the issuance of CMRIS certificates and refund all money collected to vehicle owners.

The NBA-SPIDEL threatened to initiate legal action if the police failed to act accordingly within seven days.

But in a response to the letter, Muyiwa Adejobi, the force spokesperson, said: “No agency can take the police up on this initiative”.

“The police have the right and powers to initiate any approach to curb crimes and criminality in Nigeria, as it’s applicable in other climes,” Adejobi said.

“The police have been issuing CMR for decades, so it’s not even a new strategy or document.”

Disclaiming the letter in a statement on Sunday, Akorede Lawal, NBA spokesperson, said Aikpokpo-Martins and Adeogun failed to seek the consent of the association before writing to the police.

Lawal also said the duo have been removed as executives of NBA-SPIDEL since February 2024.

“To be certain, both 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,” the statement reads.

“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.

“Both John Aikpokpo-Martins and Funmi Adeogun are not only aware of this fact, they have filed an action to challenge their removal, (which by itself acknowledges that they have been removed).

“Therefore, it is not only a misrepresentation to hold themselves out as they did, it is criminal, illegal, and gross misconduct on their part to do so.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the following persons constitute the caretaker committee of the NBA-SPIDEL: Sir Steve Adehi, SAN – chairman; Yakubu Philemon, SAN – Alternate Chairman; Ben Oji – Secretary; Ronke Adeyemi – Member; Eva Amadi – Treasurer.

“The NBA, therefore, urges the general public to disregard the said statement purportedly issued on behalf of the NBA-SPIDEL by both John Aikpokpo-Martins and Funmi Adeogun, as they lack the authority to do so.”

However, Lawal added that the NBA is engaging the police to reconsider the issuance of the CMRIS certificate given “the various levies that Nigerian citizens and businesses are already subjected to, and the present unfavourable economic condition of the country”.

“The concern by NBA over multiple taxations, tariffs, levies, and charges on Nigerians is the primary reason for convening a one-day conference coming up on 18 July 2024, with the theme: Tax, Tariffs, and the Taxpayer: Exploring the Impact on the Public and Economy,” he said.

“The President of the NBA, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON, SAN, 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 need be, the Presidency on the need to reconsider this or any other government policy that seeks to impose any additional burden on Nigerians.”