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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed claims by the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, alleging illegality in its Motor Vehicle Tinted Glass Permit Policy, insisting the framework is firmly rooted in law and guided by national security concerns.
In a statement signed on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the police said recent public comments credited to the NBA President required clarification to protect public order and uphold judicial integrity.
According to the statement, the police maintained that it remains “a law-abiding institution operating strictly within the framework of the Constitution,” stressing that under Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, it has neither violated nor intends to violate any court order.
Hundeyin quoted the Inspector-General as saying, “Respect for the judiciary and adherence to due process remain non-negotiable pillars of police governance and command responsibility.”
The statement emphasized that the regulation of tinted vehicle glass is not arbitrary, but founded on legislation enacted by the National Assembly.
“The Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, Laws of the Federation, 2004, is an Act of the National Assembly and not a military decree as misrepresented by the President of the NBA,” the police noted, adding that Section 2(3)(a) empowers the Inspector-General to issue permits, while Section 1(2) mandates applicants to justify requests on security or health grounds.
The Force said the requirement exists to curb criminal activities facilitated by obscured vehicles including kidnapping, armed robbery and terrorism.
Dismissing insinuations that the project is revenue-driven, the police said the Force is legally empowered to receive funds incidental to its statutory duties under the Police Act 2020, and stressed that the initiative serves national security and administrative interests.
The statement clarified that the present automated permit system is a Federal Government-approved Public-Private Partnership vetted by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and endorsed by the Federal Executive Council in 2022.
Under the system, applications are submitted online and vetted through a secured technology database. Fees paid, the Force stated, only support operational technology and do not serve as police revenue.
Responding to Osigwe’s allegation that permit payments are made into private accounts operated by Parkway Projects Limited, the police described the claim as “false and mischievous.”
“Parkway Projects Limited is a Central Bank of Nigeria-licensed Payment Services Provider engaged by the Federal Government for payment collection, just like Remita. What the NBA President described as a bank account number is a transaction reference for payment reconciliation,” the statement said.
The Force also argued that uncontrolled use of tinted vehicles undermines surveillance, aids criminal concealment, and obstructs intelligence-led policing. It said the upgraded Tint Permit System introduces transparency, nationwide uniformity and eliminates extortion loopholes in the previous manual process.
Hundeyin noted that the enforcement of the policy had earlier been suspended by the police as a gesture of goodwill following engagements with the NBA and public concerns, not because of any court injunction.
The Force added that it is aware of pending suits, including Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025. However, it stressed that no restraining order exists preventing enforcement.
“The application for interim injunction was outrightly refused by the Federal High Court sitting in Warri,” the statement said, adding that the police cannot abandon its duty amid worsening security threats linked to tinted vehicles.
While acknowledging that only a small percentage of motorists use tinted glass, the Force said it will not endanger the wider population to protect a “few elitist or criminal interests.”
The Inspector-General assured Nigerians that any future enforcement will be carried out professionally, without extortion or abuse of rights.
“Officers found culpable will face severe disciplinary sanctions. But individual misconduct must not be weaponised to malign the Police as an institution,” the statement read.
The police also criticized what it called harmful public narratives suggesting institutional lawlessness, saying such claims undermine national security efforts.
Hundeyin further disclosed that the Force is aware of media reports concerning a fresh suit instituted by Mr Olukunle Edun, SAN, at a Delta State High Court despite similar pending matters at the Federal High Courts in Abuja and Warri.
He said the Force had not been served with legal papers on the new suit but would respond lawfully once served.
The Inspector-General reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to professionalism, transparency and protection of human rights, urging the public to remain calm as judicial processes unfold.
“The Nigeria Police Force will continue to act lawfully, decisively, and independently in the best interest of the Nigerian people,” the statement added.
The Force called for responsible public dialogue and respect for the courts as litigation over the tint policy continues.