The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has defended the legality of the tinted-glass permit policy, days after the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) filed a suit to challenge it.
The NBA had approached the federal high court to nullify the policy introduced by Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), in April, arguing that it infringes on the fundamental rights of Nigerians.
However, in a statement issued on Wednesday, Benjamin Hundeyin, the police public relations officer (PPRO), said the NBA’s position was “misleading” and an attempt to “cast aspersions on the image, integrity, and lawful operations of the force”.
Citing section 2(3a) of the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, 2004, Hundeyin said the IGP, or anyone authorised by him, is empowered to issue permits for the use of tinted glass, provided the applicant shows good cause either on health or security grounds.
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“The essence of this regulation is consistent with the core mandate of the police to prevent crimes, as the permit is a critical tool for curbing violent crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, terrorism, and one-chance operations,” the statement reads.
The force spokesperson also clarified that the amount charged for the permits is “purely processing fees” meant for the maintenance of digital infrastructure, adding that section 26 of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, allows the force to render specialised services to the public at a fee.
Hundeyin said the electronic central motor registry (e-CMR) has helped the police trace and recover stolen vehicles nationwide, describing it as one of the achievements of the digitalised permit system.
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He added that the IGP remains committed to professionalism, transparency, and safeguarding the fundamental rights of citizens.
“The alleged claims by individuals and groups that the tinted permit policy is not legal, transparent, and constitutionally valid are not only untrue and misleading but also a calculated attempt to misinform the public,” the police PRO said.
