An Ibadan-based lawyer, Barrister Abiodun Amole, has stated that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun or any of his officers lack the power to enforce third party insurance in Nigeria.
The legal practitioner expressed the position during an interview with journalists in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday.
TREND REPORTERS had earlier reported about the directive of Egbetokun to his men, to enforce third party insurance nationwide and also about the commencement of the exercise in Akwa-Ibom State on Saturday, 1st of February.
But, Amole, in his reaction, described the action of the police as illegal and unconstitutional.
The legal luminary maintained that the Police Act is the extant law which strictly regulates the operations and/or powers of the Police in Nigeria.
“In my humble opinion, the Police lack the power to enforce the 3rd party insurance policy among motorists in Nigeria.
“Again, an insurance policy is essentially a contract between the insurer and the insured party. It is not the duty of the police to enforce a contract or agreement between parties.
“The Police cannot confer on itself the power not given to it by law, the Police Act.
“The law is well crystallised that what is not expressly stated or provided in a statute cannot be read or imported into it by any stretch of imagination,” he stated.
Please let any one who owns or drive a car get the required insurance. The region of enforcement is for purpose of settling damages when an accident occurs