The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has defended the legality of its tinted-glass permit policy.
This follows a report that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has dragged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to court over the policy.In a statement issued on Wednesday, Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, stresses that the issuance of tinted-glass permits is lawful and rooted in existing legislation.
“The issuance of tinted-glass permits is backed by Section 2(3a) of the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, 2004, which empowers the IGP or his authorised representatives to grant approval,” Hundeyin stated.
He explained that applicants are required to show good cause, either on health or security grounds, before approval is granted.
The regulation, he noted, plays a crucial role in curbing crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, terrorism, and “one chance” operations.
On Processing ChargesAddressing concerns about fees, the Police clarified that charges attached to permits are strictly for processing and maintaining digital infrastructure.
“These charges are 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 says.
Impact of the Tinted-glass Policy
The NPF highlighted the successes of the Electronic Central Motor Registry (e-CMR), which it said has helped recover numerous stolen vehicles nationwide.
The Force described criticisms that the policy is “illegal, non-transparent, or unconstitutional” as misleading and aimed at tarnishing its image.
Reaffirming its stance, IGP Egbetokun assured Nigerians that the Police remain committed to professionalism, transparency, and safeguarding citizens’ rights while fulfilling its constitutional duty of maintaining public safety.
About the Author
