Tinted Glass, NBA Summons IGP Egbetokun to Court for Permits Enforcement

The Nigeria Police Force has reacted to reports filed by the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), where it petitioned the Inspector-General of Police to court over the legality of the Police enforcement of the tinted-glass permit policy.

The reports were captioned in a police press release issued by the newly appointed Force Headquarters Spokesperson CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, in Abuja today, Wednesday 10th September 2025.

“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 the 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.”

Hundeyin cited the constitutional law backing the enforcement of the Police force, noting that 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.

He reiterated the fees attached to obtaining the tinted permit as processing fees, “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.”

The Nigeria Police 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, Hundeyin added.

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.

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.

IGP 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.