Lawyers demand immediate halt to Police plan on third-party vehicle insurance enforcement

A coalition of legal practitioners under the aegis of Deji Adeyanju and Partners has issued a firm ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, demanding the immediate suspension of the proposed enforcement of third-party vehicle insurance within 48 hours. The group has threatened legal action if their call is not heeded.

In a strongly worded letter dated Tuesday and titled “Urgent Request to Halt the Proposed Enforcement of the Third-Party Insurance for Vehicle Owners,” Deji Adeyanju, on behalf of the coalition, raised significant legal and constitutional concerns.

The letter questioned the legality of the move, asserting that enforcing third-party insurance is beyond the statutory powers granted to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) under the Police Act.

The legal team argued that such enforcement measures should fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), which is statutorily responsible for regulating vehicle and road safety matters.

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Citing the 2023 Supreme Court ruling in Nwaboshi v F.R.N & Ors, they emphasized that the NPF’s powers are not as broad as implied by the proposed action.

“The Nigeria Police Force lacks the vires to enforce third-party insurance in Nigeria. Such a move would constitute an overreach of its statutory mandate,” the lawyers stated.

They further contended that the enforcement could lead to increased exploitation of motorists, claiming, “This enforcement is not only unpopular but also unsupported by the Police Act, which governs the Nigeria Police Force.”

The coalition expressed concern over the adverse impact of such enforcement on Nigerian motorists, many of whom are already grappling with financial burdens. They warned that the move might exacerbate extortion by police officers, undermining public trust in the NPF.

“We initially dismissed reports of the NPF’s plan to enforce third-party insurance as mere speculation. However, official confirmation from your office has left us with no choice but to act swiftly,” the letter read.

The lawyers described the proposed policy as a deviation from the police’s constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property, accusing the force of prioritizing revenue generation over its core duties.

“This growing emphasis on revenue collection diminishes public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force and detracts from its primary obligations,” they added.

The legal practitioners have given the IGP a 48-hour window to suspend the enforcement plan or face legal action. They underscored their commitment to ensuring fairness and shielding Nigerian motorists from undue hardship and exploitation.

“This intervention is not solely about legality. It is also about protecting citizens from unnecessary financial strain and safeguarding their rights,” they asserted.

As the debate around the proposed enforcement continues to gain traction, many Nigerians have expressed skepticism regarding its fairness and potential impact on road safety.

Critics argue that the measure could lead to increased harassment of motorists without addressing the underlying issues of traffic management and vehicle insurance compliance.

The Inspector General of Police has yet to respond to the coalition’s demands. Meanwhile, legal experts and civil society organizations are closely monitoring the situation, with many calling for a comprehensive review of the role of law enforcement agencies in vehicle insurance regulation.