Police responds to NBA lawsuit over tinted-glass permit policy, affirms legality, transparency

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Nigeria Police Force has addressed recent reports regarding the Nigeria Bar Association’s (NBA) decision to take the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to court over the Police’s tinted-glass permit policy.

The Force in a statement on Wednesday by its Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, emphasised that the issuance of tinted-glass permits is fully legal, transparent, and essential for national security.

According to the Police statement, “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.”

The statement also clarified that applicants must demonstrate a “good cause either on health grounds or for security reasons before the use of tinted glass can be approved,” as outlined in Section 1(2) of the same Act.

The Police reiterated that the fees charged for the permits are strictly processing fees aimed at maintaining the digital infrastructure supporting this service.

This is consistent with Section 26(e) and (f) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, which authorizes the Force to render specialized services at a fee.

Highlighting the successes of technological modernization, the statement noted that through the Electronic Central Motor Registry (e-CMR), “numerous stolen vehicles have been traced and recovered across the country,” showcasing the effectiveness of police specialized services aligned with global best practices.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, affirmed, “the unflinching commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the fundamental rights of all Nigerians,” while assuring the public of the Force’s dedication to professionalism, transparency, and creating a safer nation.

The Force condemned the claims that the tinted permit policy is illegal and misleading, describing them as “a calculated attempt to cast aspersions on the image, integrity, and lawful operations of the Force.”