The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has defended the legality of its tinted-glass permit policy, following reports that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has taken the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, to court over the matter.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the police described the NBA’s claims as “untrue, misleading, and a calculated attempt to cast aspersions on the image and lawful operations of the Force.”

Citing the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, 2004, the police explained that Section 2(3a) of the law empowers the IGP or any duly authorised officer to issue tinted-glass permits. It further noted that under Section 1(2) of the Act, applicants are required to show good cause—such as health or security reasons—before approval is granted.

“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,” the statement read.

The Force also clarified that the charges attached to the permit were not arbitrary but constituted a processing fee to maintain the digital infrastructure used for the service. This, it said, was backed by Section 26(e) and (f) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, which authorises the Police to provide specialised services at a fee.

Hundeyin highlighted the successes of the Electronic Central Motor Registry (e-CMR), noting that the system had enabled the tracing and recovery of numerous stolen vehicles across the country.

Reaffirming the Force’s commitment to professionalism and transparency, IGP Egbetokun assured Nigerians that the Police remain dedicated to upholding the rule of law while safeguarding fundamental rights.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains unwavering in its pursuit of a safer and more secure nation for all,” the statement concluded.