The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has defended the legality of its tinted-glass permit policy, responding to a lawsuit filed by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

In a press release issued today, the NPF asserted that its policy is fully supported by Nigerian law and is a crucial tool for crime prevention.

The official statement, signed by Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, addresses a recent report by Punch Newspaper on September 5, 2025, which detailed the NBA’s legal action against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) over the policy.

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The Police statement highlights Section 2(3a) of the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, 2004, which it says empowers the Inspector-General of Police to grant permits. The press release also cites Section 1(2) of the same Act, which requires applicants to demonstrate a “good cause,” such as health or security reasons, to be eligible for the permit.

According to the NPF, the regulation is essential for crime prevention, specifically citing its role in combating violent crimes like kidnapping, armed robbery, terrorism, and “one-chance” operations.

The police force also addressed the fees associated with the permits, clarifying that they are “purely processing fee[s] and for the maintenance of the digital infrastructure.” This, they claim, is in line with Section 26(e) and (f) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, which allows the Police to charge for specialized services.

The NPF’s statement also pointed to the success of its Electronic Central Motor Registry (e-CMR), which it credits with the recovery of numerous stolen vehicles. The force described this as an example of its “modernised police specialised services in line with global best practices.”

The statement concluded with a firm assurance from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, that the NPF remains committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of all Nigerians. He reiterated the force’s dedication to transparency and professionalism in its operations.

This development follows the recent legal challenge by the NBA, which has questioned the legality and constitutional validity of the tinted glass permit policy. The police force has dismissed these claims as “untrue and misleading” and “a calculated attempt to cast aspersions on the image, integrity, and lawful operations of the Force.”