Police Debunks NBA Claims, Insists Tinted Glass Permit Policy Is Legal and Essential for National Security

The Nigeria Police Force has refuted comments credited to the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, over the Motor Vehicle Tinted Glass Permit Policy, insisting that the framework is backed by law and driven solely by security concerns, not revenue.

In a statement issued on Friday, December 19, 2025, Force Public Relations Officer CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the Police operate strictly within the Constitution and valid court orders, stressing that the institution has no intention of acting in contempt of judicial authority.

Hundeyin maintained that the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, LFN 2004, is an act of the National Assembly and not a military decree as claimed. He explained that the law empowers the Inspector-General of Police to issue tinted glass permits, while applicants must show legitimate security or health-related reasons.

According to the police, the permit system addresses serious security risks, including the use of obscured vehicles for kidnapping, armed robbery, terrorism, and other violent crimes. Hundeyin dismissed suggestions that the policy is a money-making venture, stressing that the Force is not a revenue-generating agency.

He clarified that administrative fees paid through the automated Police Specialized Services Automation Project (POSSAP) fund the technological infrastructure behind the process. The project, approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2022, runs under a lawful public-private partnership arrangement overseen by the ICRC.

On the NBA president’s allegation that funds were being paid into a private account operated by Parkway Projects, the police described the claim as “entirely false,” stating that Parkway Projects Limited is a CBN-licensed payment processor, similar to Remita. The reference number cited publicly, the statement added, is only a transaction ID used for reconciliation.

The Police argued that the enhanced Tint Permit System was introduced to standardize applications, strengthen vetting, and eliminate abuses associated with the previous system. Despite earlier suspending enforcement of the policy, Hundeyin said the move was an act of goodwill and not due to any court order. He noted that an application for an interim injunction was already rejected by the Federal High Court in Warri.

While acknowledging pending court cases, including Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025, the Police said they remain committed to due process and will not preempt judicial outcomes.

The statement also criticized what it described as “ignorant and mischievous claims” aimed at misleading the public, warning that no responsible security institution would ignore the misuse of tinted glass given current national security realities.

Hundeyin assured that any enforcement undertaken would be professional and rights-compliant, adding that officers found guilty of extortion or harassment would face sanctions. However, he cautioned against generalizing individual misconduct to malign the entire institution.

The Force also noted reports of a fresh suit allegedly filed at the Delta State High Court despite ongoing cases in Abuja and Warri, saying it had not yet been served with any court processes.

Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to professionalism, transparency, accountability, and the protection of fundamental rights, urging Nigerians to remain calm and allow the courts to rule on the matter.