An Imo State lawyer, Chinedu Agu, Esq., ACArb., has accused the Imo State Police Command of defying a nationwide suspension order by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and engaging in what he calls “executive lawlessness” through the continued enforcement of the controversial Central Motor Registry (e-CMR) policy.
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In a fiery petition to the Commissioner of Police, Imo State, Agu detailed multiple instances of alleged extortion, unlawful detention, and harassment by officers at the UBA Roundabout checkpoint in Orlu, despite a pending lawsuit challenging the policy’s legality.
Agu, a former Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Owerri Branch, recounted being detained on three separate occasions—December 22, 2024; January 7, 2025; and April 15, 2025—by officers demanding e-CMR certificates, a policy suspended by the IGP on July 14, 2024. The IGP’s directive explicitly warned that officers caught extorting motorists under the guise of e-CMR enforcement would face sanctions. Agu’s petition, however, alleges that officers under the Imo State Command have flagrantly disregarded this order, subjecting him to delays of up to two hours, verbal harassment, and demands to fuel a police vehicle.
Agu’s encounters highlight what he describes as constitutional breaches, including violations of his rights to dignity (Section 34), personal liberty (Section 35), and freedom of movement (Section 41) under the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria. On December 22, 2024, he missed a high-profile professional engagement due to a two-hour delay. Similar incidents occurred on January 7, 2025, during a funeral attendance, and on April 15, 2025, when an officer allegedly removed his name tag and confiscated Agu’s vehicle papers.
“These actions are not only an embarrassment to the Nigeria Police Force but an insult to the authority of the IGP and the sanctity of our legal system,” Agu wrote, emphasizing that the enforcement persists despite a pending suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/192/2024) filed by NBA-SPIDEL. The lawsuit questions the police’s statutory powers to impose e-CMR fees without an Act of the National Assembly and seeks to determine whether such enforcement violates fundamental rights.
The NBA-SPIDEL suit, initiated in February 2024, challenges the e-CMR policy’s legality, arguing that it constitutes executive overreach and contravenes the doctrine of separation of powers. Agu’s petition underscores that the matter is sub judice, and continued enforcement by police officers amounts to contempt of court. He issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Commissioner of Police, demanding:
- A statewide directive halting e-CMR enforcement.
- Public broadcast of the directive via media and police platforms.
- An investigation into the conduct of officers at the UBA Roundabout checkpoint.
Failure to comply, Agu warned, would lead to further legal action, including suits for the enforcement of his fundamental rights and public statements accusing the Commissioner’s office of complicity in an “illegal enforcement scheme.”
Agu’s petition has reignited concerns about police misconduct and the enforcement of policies lacking statutory backing in Nigeria. Legal analysts view the case as a test of the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to the rule of law, particularly in light of the IGP’s public stance against extortion. The controversy also amplifies calls for legislative clarity on police powers, with stakeholders urging the National Assembly to address ambiguities in policies like the e-CMR.
E-CMR Extortion Despite IGP Suspension OrderThe Imo State Police Command has yet to respond publicly to Agu’s allegations. However, the petition—copied to the Area Commander in Orlu and the chairmen of all five NBA branches in Imo State—is expected to spark discussions within legal and civil society circles. Public interest advocates are closely watching the outcome, as the case could set a precedent for addressing administrative overreach nationwide.
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