The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has defended the legality of the Motor Vehicle Tinted Glass Permit Policy, dismissing claims by the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, that the policy is arbitrary, revenue-driven or in contempt of court.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the police said the policy is firmly rooted in law and essential for public safety, particularly in combating crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery and terrorism.
The Force stressed that it operates strictly within the provisions of the Constitution, extant laws and valid court orders, noting that under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, it has neither acted nor intends to act in contempt of court.
According to the statement, the regulation of tinted glass vehicles is backed by the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, which empowers the Inspector-General of Police to issue permits based on legitimate security or health grounds. The police described claims that the law is a military decree as false and misleading.
The NPF also rejected allegations that the tinted glass permit process is designed to generate revenue. It explained that while the Force is not a revenue-generating agency, the Police Act allows it to receive funds incidental to its statutory duties.
The statement further clarified that the automated tinted glass permit system, approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2022, operates under a lawful public-private partnership and is aimed at improving security vetting, transparency and efficiency. Fees paid by applicants, the police said, are used solely to maintain the technology infrastructure and do not accrue as revenue to the Force.
Addressing claims that payments were made into a private account, the police described the allegation as false, explaining that Parkway Projects Limited, mentioned in the controversy, is a Central Bank of Nigeria-licensed payment service provider used only as a payment collection channel.
The Force noted that enforcement of the policy had earlier been voluntarily suspended following stakeholder engagements, not due to any court order. It emphasised that no court has issued a restraining order against the police, adding that an application for interim injunction was refused by a Federal High Court in Warri.
While reaffirming its respect for ongoing court processes, the NPF said it cannot abdicate its constitutional responsibility to ensure public safety, especially given the security risks associated with the abuse of tinted vehicles.
The police assured Nigerians that enforcement, when carried out, would be professional and rights-compliant, warning that extortion or abuse of authority by officers would attract severe disciplinary action.
The Force called for calm and responsible public discourse, reiterating its commitment to professionalism, transparency and the protection of lives and property, while urging respect for judicial processes as courts determine the issues surrounding the policy.