Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has said that its enforcement of the tinted-glass permit policy is backed by law, despite a suit filed by Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) seeking to invalidate it.
Gatekeepers News reports that NBA had approached the federal high court, arguing that the initiative introduced in April by Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun violates the rights of Nigerians.
In response, Benjamin Hundeyin, police public relations officer (PPRO), issued a statement on Wednesday describing the NBA’s stance as misleading and an attempt to cast aspersions on the image, integrity, and lawful operations of the force.
He cited Section 2(3a) of the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, 2004, which empowers the IGP or his authorised officers to grant permits for tinted glass use, provided applicants justify the request on health or security grounds.
Hundeyin said, “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 police spokesman added that the fees charged are processing charges meant to sustain digital infrastructure, noting that Section 26 of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, permits the force to deliver specialised services for a fee.
He explained that the electronic central motor registry (e-CMR) has already assisted in tracing and recovering stolen vehicles across the country, portraying it as one of the successes of the digital permit system.
Hundeyin stressed that the IGP remains committed to professionalism, accountability, and protection of citizens’ rights.
According to him; the alleged claims by individuals and groups that the tinted permit policy is not legal, transparent, and constitutionally valid are false, misleading, and a calculated attempt to misinform the public.
