Today, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) maintained that the motor vehicle tinted glass permit regulation is legitimate and intended to protect the public.
Mazi Afam Osigwe, the president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), made statements regarding the Motor Vehicle Tinted Glass Permit Policy that the NPF characterized as deceptive.
The police authority stated that, contrary to what the NBA President mistakenly stated, the regulation of vehicle-tinted glass is not an arbitrary or discretionary policy.
The Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, Laws of the Federation (LFN), 2004 is an Act of the National Assembly, not a military edict as the NBA President falsely claimed, according to NPF, which stated that it is solidly based on the law.
Section 2(3)(a) of the Act gives the Inspector-General of Police statutory authority to grant permits, while Section 1(2) of the same Act requires applicants to provide a valid security or health-related justification, according to a statement released by Force Public Relations Officer CSP Benjamin Hundeyin.
According to Hundeyin, the main purpose of this framework is to address public safety issues, specifically the use of hidden cars in violent crimes like terrorism, armed robbery, and kidnapping.
“Therefore, it is incorrect and misleading to portray the policy as a revenue-driven initiative,” he stated. The Nigeria Police Force is not a business that makes money.
However, the legislation gives the Force the authority to accept money that comes up accidentally as it performs its mandated duties. The Police Act, 2020 (as modified) specifically acknowledges this authority in Section 26(1)(f). This is not a new or contentious legal position.
“Recent public remarks regarding the Motor Vehicle Tinted Glass Permit Policy have been ascribed to Mazi Afam Osigwe, President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), according to the Nigeria Police Force.
“The Force feels compelled to put the facts on record, rectify material misrepresentations, and reaffirm its unwavering commitment to the rule of law, public safety, and judicial authority in the paramount interest of public order, institutional clarity, and national security.”
The Nigeria Police Force is always a law-abiding organization that operates entirely within the parameters of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Constitution, current laws, and legitimate court decisions.
“The Force has not committed contempt of court and has no plans to do so under the direction of Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM.” The foundations of police governance and command responsibility that cannot be compromised are respect for the judiciary and commitment to due process.
The Police Specialized Services Automation Project was approved by the federal government in July 2022 after receiving the necessary clearance from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in order to balance accessibility for qualified applicants with the requirements of national security and operational sustainability. The Nigeria Police Force and a licensed information technology infrastructure provider are working together to carry out the project under a legitimate Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement approved by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) Act.
“Applications for tinted glass permits are processed online, subject to security vetting, and approved strictly in accordance with the law under this automated framework.” The administrative costs that applicants pay are used only to maintain the workflow design, data security mechanisms, and technical infrastructure that enable the process. The Nigeria Police Force does not generate revenue from them.
According to Hundeyin, Osigwe’s claim that payments are made into a “private account” run by Parkway Projects is completely untrue and demonstrates either a complete ignorance of payment processing systems or plain malice intended to deceive the public.
Similar to platforms like Remita, the federal government has enlisted Parkway Projects Limited, a Payment Services Provider licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria, to act as a payment collection channel for the Vehicle Tint Permit Project.
“The reference number that the NBA President cited as Parkway Projects’ bank account number is actually a unique transaction identifier that is utilized for reconciliation and payment into approved government channels rather than a bank account.
Although some drivers might prefer tinted glass for privacy, style, or sun protection, the widespread usage of darkly tinted cars has clearly hampered intelligence-led police, compromised traffic surveillance, and made it easier for criminals to hide their identities. Thus, the improved Tint Permit System was implemented in order to eliminate bottlenecks and extortion tendencies related to the old procedure, standardize applications across the country, strengthen vetting, and incorporate security technologies that had not been included in the process before. This is one of the new initiatives that the current Inspector-General of Police has implemented to modernize Nigerian law enforcement.
“The Nigeria Police Force recalls that, in response to public appeals and after discussions with the NBA leadership, enforcement of the policy was previously voluntarily suspended.” This decision was not the product of judicial restraint, but rather an act of kindness and institutional restraint. The Force will not take any action that could preempt or undermine court decisions. The Force is still fully aware of all current proceedings before the courts, including Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025, in which judgment has been reserved.
“The latest enforcement statement was meant to give the public advance notice of operational strategy, subject always to adherence to current court orders and additional court instructions. To promote clarity, harmony, and strict obedience to the law, the Nigeria Police Force is open to constructive discussion in cases where any aspect of such communication is susceptible to misinterpretation.
Despite this, he continued, “the Nigeria Police Force will not waste valuable time responding to ignorant and mischievous claims, especially by people who have chosen to use malicious attacks on the Police as a launchpad to limelight and fame under the guise of being a defender of the masses.”
To be clear, no court has issued a restraining order against the Nigeria Police Force in this regard, the police added.
He said that the Federal High Court in Warri had categorically denied the motion for an interim injunction and that the earlier enforcement suspension was a courtesy to the involved parties.
According to Hundeyin, the Force cannot shirk its constitutional obligations in light of Nigeria’s present security conditions, many of which are made worse by the misuse of tinted vehicles.
“It should also be mentioned that very few drivers use tinted glass,” he stated. Under the pretense of public advocacy, no respectable police organization will for the safety of the vast majority of Nigerians to be compromised in order to safeguard the exclusive interests of a select few, whether they be criminal or elite.
Despite the aforementioned, enforcement will be measured, professional, and in accordance with the law when it is carried out legally.
“The Inspector-General of Police reaffirms that no police officer will be allowed to engage in extortion, harassment, or abuse of power.
Officers who are found guilty will be subject to harsh disciplinary measures. Individual wrongdoing, however, must not be used as a weapon to disparage the Nigeria Police Force as a whole.
“Public narratives that suggest institutional lawlessness or bad faith are neither accurate nor helpful, even though the Nigeria Police Force acknowledges the Nigerian Bar Association as an essential stakeholder in Nigeria’s justice system.” The Force will no longer publicly interact with anyone who abuse reputable organizations, such as the Nigerian Bar Association, to further their own objectives or undermine public trust in legitimate authorities.
According to media sources, the Force also knows that, even though Suit Nos. FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025 and FHC/WR/CS/103/2025 are still pending, Mr. Olukunle Edun, SAN, whose previous actions were unsuccessful, has purportedly filed a new lawsuit in the High Court of Delta State, Orerokpe Division. Regarding this alleged action, no procedures have been served to the Nigeria Police Force. Following service, the Force will review the matter with its legal counsel and take any appropriate legal action.
“The Nigeria Police Force’s steadfast dedication to professionalism, accountability, transparency, and the defense of fundamental rights is reassured to Nigerians by Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM.
“The Force will continue to operate legitimately, decisively, and independently in the greatest interest of the Nigerian people, remaining unwavering in its constitutional mission to protect lives and property.
“As the courts make their decisions on the matters at hand, the Nigeria Police Force demands calm, responsible public discourse and ongoing respect for judicial processes.”
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