Police Reject NBA Claim, Say Tinted Glass Permit Policy Not Revenue-driven

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed allegations by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) that the enforcement of the motor vehicle tinted glass permit policy was intended to generate revenue.

In a statement released on Friday, the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, maintained that the police were not a revenue-generating institution, noting that although the law allows the force to receive funds that arise in the course of carrying out its statutory responsibilities.

The police reaction followed remarks by the NBA President, Afam Osigwe, who criticised the enforcement of the policy, describing it as “executive recklessness” and alleging that the police operate a revenue-driven system.

However, CSP Hundeyin explained that the tinted glass permit policy was firmly rooted in law, referencing the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

According to him, Section 2(3)(a) of the Act authorises the Inspector-General of Police to issue tinted glass permits, while Section 1(2) mandates applicants to present valid security or health-related justifications.

He described claims that the initiative was designed to generate income as misleading, noting that Section 26(1)(f) of the Police Act 2020 expressly permits the force to receive funds incidental to the performance of its legal duties.

Hundeyin further disclosed that the Federal Government approved the Police Specialist Services Automation Project in July 2022 as part of efforts to modernise police services and strengthen national security.

He said the project was being executed through a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement in line with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) Act.

The police spokesperson added that applications for tinted glass permits were submitted online and subjected to thorough security screening, stressing that the fees paid were strictly applied to sustaining the technological infrastructure and data systems used for the process.

He also refuted claims that payments are diverted into private accounts, clarifying that Parkway Projects Limited, mentioned by the NBA, is a payment service provider licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and officially engaged by the Federal Government as a collection platform.

Hundeyin argued that the widespread use of heavily tinted vehicles has aided criminal activities such as kidnapping and armed robbery, while also limiting effective traffic surveillance.

He clarified that the earlier suspension of enforcement was a goodwill gesture following consultations with the NBA and not as a result of any court directive.

According to him, no court has issued an order restraining the police from enforcing the policy, adding that a recent request for an interim injunction was declined by a Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State.

Hundeyin assured the public that enforcement, when resumed, would be carried out professionally and in compliance with citizens’ rights, warning that any officer found engaging in extortion or abuse of authority would be disciplined.