The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has faulted the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for insisting on the issuance of the Central Motor Registry Information System (CMRIS) certificate to motorists, describing the move as “ridiculous and unconstitutional.”
The group’s statement followed an interim order by the Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, which restrained the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) from enforcing tinted glass permits nationwide.
The ruling, delivered on Friday in Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025 filed by legal practitioner John Aikpokpo-Martins, directed the police to “maintain the status quo” pending the determination of the matter.
In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA condemned what it described as the police’s attempt to transform itself into a revenue-generating institution in violation of constitutional provisions and the recently enacted tax reform laws.
“It is absurd that at a time when insecurity, violent crimes, and lawlessness are on the rise across the country, the Nigeria Police Force has turned itself into a tax collection agency,” Onwubiko said.
“It is illegal for the police to engage in revenue generation, especially under the new tax reform Acts, which clearly designate the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) as the only body authorised to collect all federal taxes and non-tax revenues.”
The rights group accused the police leadership of abandoning its primary responsibility of crime prevention and law enforcement in favour of activities that have no legal basis.
It warned that the continuous issuance of the CMRIS certificate without legislative approval is null and void.
“Any such certificate being issued by the police has no legal standing. It is a violation of both the constitution and the 2025 tax reform Acts,” HURIWA stated.
“The police should refocus their energy on tackling rising cases of kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism in parts of the country rather than engaging in revenue drives.”
HURIWA also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call the police hierarchy to order and direct them to prioritise their core mandate of maintaining public safety.
“The President should intervene immediately. The police must leave revenue mobilisation to the appropriate agencies and concentrate on rebuilding their internal structures for efficient policing. Turning the force into a fee-collecting body is embarrassing and undermines public confidence in law enforcement,” the group added.
HURIWA described the policy as “ridiculing the institution of the police,” warning that such actions could further alienate the public from cooperating with security agencies in the fight against crime.
