The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has defended the legality of its tinted-glass permit policy following a lawsuit reportedly filed against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the Police said the Punch Newspaper report of September 5, 2025, on the NBA’s legal action had created a need to set the records straight to avoid misleading the public.
According to the Police, Section 2(3a) of the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, 2004 empowers the IGP or his authorised representatives to approve permits for tinted glass. The Act further stipulates under Section 1(2) that applicants must provide valid reasons—such as health or security grounds—before approval is granted.
“The essence of this regulation aligns 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 read.
The Force also explained that charges associated with acquiring the permit were not arbitrary but represented processing fees and costs for maintaining digital infrastructure. It cited Sections 26(e) and (f) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, which empower the Police to render specialised services to the public at a fee.
Highlighting the successes of its Electronic Central Motor Registry (e-CMR), the Police noted that numerous stolen vehicles had been traced and recovered nationwide through the modernised system, which it described as being in line with global best practices.
The Force dismissed claims that the tinted permit policy was illegal, opaque, or unconstitutional as “untrue and misleading,” insisting such arguments were attempts to tarnish its image and lawful operations.
The IGP, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, reaffirmed the Police’s commitment to professionalism, the protection of citizens’ rights, and the rule of law, stressing that transparency remained central to the Force’s operations.
