Nigeria Police Force Defends Tinted Glass Permit Policy, Reaffirms Commitment To Rule Of Law, Public Safety

BY ABU-SATAR HAMED 

ABUJA, NIGERIA – The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has responded to recent public commentary credited to the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, on the Motor Vehicle Tinted Glass Permit Policy.

NPF said it is compelled, in the interest of public order, institutional clarity and national security, to set the facts straight.

In a statement e-signed and made available to journalists by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, anipr, mipra, from Force Headquarters, Abuja, the Police said it was necessary to correct material misrepresentations and reaffirm its unwavering commitment to the rule of law, public safety and respect for judicial authority.

According to the statement, the Nigeria Police Force remains a law-abiding institution operating strictly within the framework of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, extant statutes and valid orders of courts of competent jurisdiction.

Under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, the Force stressed that it has neither acted nor intends to act in contempt of court, adding that respect for the judiciary and adherence to due process remain non-negotiable pillars of police governance and command responsibility.

The Police clarified that the regulation of vehicle tinted glass is neither discretionary nor arbitrary, as alleged, but firmly grounded in law. It explained that the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, is an Act of the National Assembly and not a military decree.

Section 2(3)(a) of the Act, the statement noted, vests statutory authority in the Inspector-General of Police to issue permits, while Section 1(2) requires applicants to establish legitimate security or health-related justification.

According to the Force, the framework was designed primarily to address public safety concerns, particularly the use of obscured vehicles in crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, terrorism and other violent offences.

The statement further dismissed claims that the policy is revenue-driven, stressing that the Nigeria Police Force is not a revenue-generating organisation.

However, it noted that the Police Act, 2020 (as amended), under Section 26(1)(f), empowers the Force to receive funds that accrue incidentally in the discharge of its statutory duties.
In balancing access for legitimate applicants with national security imperatives.

The statement recalled that the Federal Government approved the Police Specialized Services Automation Project in July 2022, following due approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

The project, it said, is implemented under a lawful Public-Private Partnership arrangement authorised by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) Act, with a licensed Information Technology infrastructure provider.

Under the automated system, applications for tinted glass permits are processed online, subjected to security vetting and approved strictly in accordance with the law.

Administrative fees paid by applicants, the Force explained, are used solely to sustain the technology infrastructure, data security systems and workflow architecture, and do not amount to revenue generation by the Police.

Reacting to allegations that payments are made into a “private account” operated by Parkway Projects, the NPF described the claim as entirely false and misleading. It clarified that Parkway Projects Limited is a Central Bank of Nigeria-licensed Payment Services Provider, engaged by the Federal Government as a payment collection channel for the Vehicle Tint Permit Project, similar to platforms such as Remita.

The reference number cited as a Bank account number, the Police added, is merely a transaction identifier used for reconciliation into designated government channels.

While acknowledging that some motorists desire tinted glass for privacy, aesthetics or protection from sunlight, the Force noted that the indiscriminate use of heavily tinted vehicles has undermined traffic surveillance, facilitated criminal concealment and impeded intelligence-led policing.

It explained that the enhanced Tint Permit System was introduced to standardise applications nationwide, improve vetting and integrate security innovations, while eliminating bottlenecks and tendencies for extortion associated with the previous process.

The Police recalled that enforcement of the policy was earlier voluntarily suspended following engagements with the NBA leadership and in response to public appeals, describing the move as an act of institutional restraint and goodwill, not a result of any judicial order.

It stressed that it remains fully aware of pending court matters, including Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025, in which judgment has been reserved, and will not take any action capable of undermining judicial outcomes.

According to the statement, recent communication on enforcement was intended to give advance public notice on operational planning, subject to compliance with subsisting court directives.

The Force, however, expressed readiness for constructive engagement where any aspect of the communication may have been misinterpreted, while maintaining that it would not continue to respond to what it described as ignorant and mischievous claims.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Police stated that no court has issued a restraining order against it on the matter, noting that an application for interim injunction was refused by the Federal High Court sitting in Warri.

It added that only a small percentage of motorists use tinted glass and that the security of the overwhelming majority of Nigerians cannot be compromised to protect narrow interests.

The statement assured that enforcement, where lawfully undertaken, will be professional, measured and rights-compliant.

The Inspector-General of Police reiterated that extortion, harassment or abuse of authority by any officer will not be tolerated, warning that officers found culpable will face severe disciplinary sanctions, while cautioning against using individual misconduct to malign the institution.

While recognising the Nigerian Bar Association as a vital stakeholder in the justice system, the Force cautioned against public narratives that portray institutional lawlessness or bad faith.

It also noted reports of a fresh suit allegedly instituted by Mr. Olukunle Edun, SAN, at a Delta State High Court, stating that it had not been served with any court processes and would respond appropriately upon service.

The Inspector-General of Police reassured Nigerians of the Force’s commitment to professionalism, transparency, accountability and the protection of fundamental rights, stressing that the Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its constitutional mandate to safeguard lives and property.

The statement concluded with a call for calm, responsible public discourse and sustained respect for judicial processes as the courts pronounce on the issues before them.