The Nigeria Police Force has firmly dismissed claims that any court issued an order stopping the enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy, insisting that ongoing enforcement remains lawful and valid. The police described reports suggesting otherwise as a misunderstanding of a court ruling currently being referenced in public discussions.
The clarification was made on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, in Abuja by the Force Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Police Benjamin Hundeyin, while addressing questions from journalists regarding the Nigerian Bar Association’s plan to initiate contempt proceedings against the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Okay News reports that the Nigerian Bar Association raised objections after the police resumed enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy on Monday, December 15, 2025, following a temporary suspension that had been announced in October 2025. The association argued that the enforcement violated a subsisting court order, an interpretation the police strongly rejected.
Speaking on the matter, Hundeyin explained that the court order being cited only instructed the parties involved to maintain the existing situation at the time the order was issued, stressing that enforcement was already in effect at that point. According to him, the court explicitly declined a request seeking the suspension of the policy.
“We would like to put this on record. At no point did any court restrain the Nigeria Police Force from enforcing the tinted glass permit policy. At no point,” Hundeyin said.
“What we have is people misinterpreting the last court document that was issued. That injunction spoke about maintaining the status quo. I don’t want to go into technicalities.”
He further explained that enforcement was already ongoing when the order was made and that the court made it clear that it would not grant a request to stop the policy at that stage.
“At the time that order was given, enforcement was ongoing, and the court said the status quo should be maintained. In fact, the court stated specifically that the request by the lawyer who approached the court, seeking that enforcement should be stopped, would not be granted at that point. The document is out there. So the status quo meant that enforcement, which was already ongoing, should continue,” he added.
Hundeyin disclosed that the temporary suspension announced in October was not the result of a court order but rather a decision taken after consultations between the Inspector General of Police and leaders of the Nigerian Bar Association. He noted that the suspension had no fixed duration and was meant to create room for dialogue and administrative adjustments.
“However, we later had a meeting with the Nigerian Bar Association, where the Inspector General of Police decided to take the path of care, listening and concern, and consequently directed that the tinted glass permit policy be suspended. That suspension was not based on any court order,” he said.
“It was based on the Nigeria Police Force being responsible and responsive to the yearnings of the people, and responsive to the appeal by the Nigerian Bar Association.”
He added that the police anticipated the legal challenge would be resolved within the suspension period.
“When we announced that suspension, there was no time frame attached to it. At no point did we say it would last until a specific time. We simply suspended it at that point. In fact, we hoped that the court case would have reached a logical conclusion within that period.”
Explaining the decision to reinstate enforcement, Hundeyin pointed to rising security concerns and the exploitation of tinted vehicles by criminal elements. He recounted a recent deadly incident in Benin City, Edo State, where a police officer lost his life during a pursuit involving a fully tinted vehicle.
“The case has dragged on, and during that period, criminal elements have confidently used tinted vehicles to perpetrate crimes,” he said.
“Just two weeks ago in Edo State, the police attempted to stop a Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle with fully tinted windows. The occupants refused to stop, and a pursuit ensued.”
“When the vehicle was eventually stopped, it veered to a corner. As the police approached, the occupants opened fire on the officers. One officer died instantly—an inspector of police. They were able to do this easily because the vehicle was fully tinted.”
According to Hundeyin, the police could not ignore such security threats.
“The mandate of the police is to protect life and property. We will not fold our arms and watch things degenerate,” he stated.
On the threat of contempt proceedings by the Nigerian Bar Association, Hundeyin said the police would respond formally only when served with official court documents.
“We are yet to be served with any court papers. We will not act based on hearsay. Once any papers are served, we have a Legal Directorate, and we will respond accordingly,” he said.
Addressing public concerns about revenue generation, Hundeyin clarified that the tinted glass permit process is now fully digital and operates on a secure government-owned platform. He explained that fees collected are strictly used for maintaining advanced security infrastructure and protecting sensitive personal data.
“This system is a departure from the old tinted permit system, which was manual and paper-based. This time, the process is entirely online through a secure website,” he explained.
He added that the platform allows Nigerians living abroad to submit biometric data remotely, including fingerprints, facial scans, and photographs, emphasizing that maintaining such systems requires substantial investment.
“We are protecting Nigerians’ information with these advanced systems, and these systems require ongoing maintenance. That is what the fees are for—to run and sustain the database. It is not a money-making venture,” Hundeyin said.
He concluded by stating that the official government website hosting the platform confirmed that all approvals were secured before implementation.
