Nigeria Police Force has defended its tinted-glass permit policy, insisting that it is lawful and backed by existing legislation, following a lawsuit filed by the Nigerian Bar Association.
The Police gave the defence in response to a lawsuit filed by the Nigerian Bar Association at the Federal High Court, challenging the Inspector-General of Police over the tinted permit policy, describing it as unlawful and an infringement on fundamental rights.
The policy, initially set for enforcement on June 1, was later extended to October 2nd, requiring motorists to obtain annual permits for tinted vehicle glass through a digital portal.
In a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the Police dismissed the NBA’s claims as “not only untrue and misleading but also a calculated attempt to cast aspersions on the image, integrity, and lawful operations of the Force.”
Hundeyin said Section 23(a) of the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, 2004, empowered the IG or any person authorised by him to grant or approve the permit, while Section 1(2) required an applicant to show good cause before the use of tinted glass could be approved.
“The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is aware of a Punch Newspaper publication of 5th September, 2025, reporting that the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has dragged the Inspector-General of Police to court over tinted-glass permit policy.
It is pertinent to set the records straight to avoid misinformation to the good citizens of Nigeria on the legality of the issuance of tinted permits by the Police.
“Section 2(3a) of the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, 2004 empowers the Inspector-General of Police or any person duly authorised by him to grant or approve the permit. Furthermore, Section 1(2) of the same Act provides that an applicant must show good cause either on health grounds or for security reasons before the use of tinted glass can be approved.
“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 partly read.
On the issue of charges, the Police clarified that the fees attached to the permits are “purely processing fees and for the maintenance of the digital infrastructure deployed for this service,” citing Section 26(e) and (f) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, which empowers the Police to render specialised services at a fee.
The statement also highlighted successes from the Electronic Central Motor Registry (e-CMR), noting that “numerous stolen vehicles have been traced and recovered across the country, a feat made possible by the modernised police specialised services in line with global best practices.”
“In the same vein, it is important to clarify that the charges attached to the acquisition of the permit are purely processing fees and for the maintenance of the digital infrastructure deployed for this service.
This is well within the law as provided for under Section 26(e) and (f) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, which empowers the Police to render specialised services to the public at a fee.
“It is worthy to put on record that the Force has recorded commendable and significant successes with the Electronic Central Motor Registry (e-CMR), through which numerous stolen vehicles have been traced and recovered across the country, a feat made possible by the modernised police specialised services in line with global best practices.
“The Nigeria Police wishes to unequivocally assure the public that 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 cast aspersions on the image, integrity, and lawful operations of the Force,” Hundeyin stated.
Reiterating the commitment of the Force to professionalism and transparency, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, assured Nigerians that the policy is both legal and necessary, and that the Police was committed to its pursuit of a safer and secure nation.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, reiterates the unflinching commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the fundamental rights of all Nigerians.
“He further reassures the public of the Force’s steadfast dedication to professionalism, the relentless pursuit of a safer and more secure nation for all and above all, transparency,” the statement concluded.
