A veteran broadcaster and former acting Director General of the Nigeria Television Authority [NTA], Mr Sola Atere, said the directive on tinted glass permit was not reasonably justifiable.
Atere explained his position in a riposte to a rash of arguments on the issue.
His position is reproduced in extenso below:
“The fact that the NPF’s latest directive on tinted glasses is backed by a 2004 law does not make it reasonably justifiable in the present circumstances.
“Neither does it explicitly give the IGP the authority to charge money, outrageous amount for that matter, for approving any request for the permit.
“The 2004 law, in my considered opinion, has become unreasonable in the present circumstances whereby it has become the trend or common practice for the global auto industry to fix slightly tinted windows at the rear seat end of vehicles directly manufactured in their production plants.
“This police statement cannot blackmail the NBA from seeking judicial cover against this obnoxious law meant to unduly penalise owners of vehicles with factory-fitted glasses.
“This court case presents an opportunity for the NBA to dispel some of the criticisms which emerged after its latest Annual General Conference, that the noble profession has over the years derailed from its purpose of protecting the rights of the citizens, advancing the course of justice etc, and thereby losing credibility in the eyes of the public.”
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Recall that the Nigeria Police had offered a clarification of the directive on tinted glass permit.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the Police said the Punch Newspaper publication of September 5, 2025, necessitated the clarification to “set the records straight” and prevent misinformation.
Quoting the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, 2004, Hundeyin explained that Section 2(3a) empowers the IGP or his authorised representatives to grant or approve tinted-glass permits.
He added that applicants must justify their requests on health or security grounds as stipulated in Section 1(2) of the Act.
“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 Police also addressed concerns over the fees charged for permits, describing them as “purely processing fees” meant to sustain the digital infrastructure deployed for the service.
Hundeyin cited Section 26(e) and (f) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, which empowers the Force to render specialised services to the public at a fee.
According to him, the Electronic Central Motor Registry (e-CMR) has been instrumental in recovering stolen vehicles nationwide, showcasing the effectiveness of such modernised systems.
The Force dismissed claims that the tinted-glass permit policy is unlawful, opaque, or unconstitutional, insisting such arguments are “untrue, misleading and a calculated attempt to cast aspersions on the image, integrity, and lawful operations of the Force.”
IGP Egbetokun, the statement noted, reaffirmed the Police’s commitment to professionalism, transparency, and safeguarding the fundamental rights of Nigerians while ensuring a safer nation.
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