Police Defends Legality of Tinted-Glass Permit Amid NBA Lawsuit

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has defended the legality of its tinted-glass permit policy.

The defence follow reports that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) dragged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to court over the matter.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the Police maintained that the issuance of tinted-glass permits is backed by law.

It citied Section 2(3a) of the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, 2004, which empowers the IGP or his authorised representatives to grant approval.

The Force further explained that applicants are required to show good cause either health or security grounds, before approval is granted, stressing that the regulation is critical in curbing crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, terrorism, and “one chance” operations. 

On the issue of charges, the Police clarified that the fees attached are strictly processing charges and for the maintenance of digital infrastructure, in line with Section 26(e) and (f) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, which allows the Police to render specialised services at a fee.

The statement highlighted successes recorded through the Electronic Central Motor Registry (e-CMR), which has aided the recovery of numerous stolen vehicles nationwide, describing claims that the policy is illegal, non-transparent, or unconstitutional as “misleading” and an attempt to malign the Force.

IGP Egbetokun reiterated the Police’s commitment to professionalism, transparency, and safeguarding the rights of all Nigerians while pursuing its constitutional mandate of ensuring public safety.