The House says the ban on tinted glasses is too sudden and should be suspended immediately.
The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a resolution urging the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command to immediately cease the indiscriminate harassment of motorists and release vehicles impounded solely for infractions related to tinted glasses and covered number plates.
The lawmakers further directed the police command to issue a public notice allowing a grace period of at least 90 days for vehicle owners to comply with regulations on tinted glasses and number plates.
Additionally, the House mandated its committee on police affairs to collaborate with the leadership of the Nigeria police to establish clear guidelines for enforcing such directives in the future. The aim is to ensure adequate public awareness and reasonable timelines before implementation.
These resolutions were adopted following a motion of urgent public importance presented by Rep. Shagaya Tolani (APC, Kwara). The motion, titled “addressing the enforcement of ban on tinted glasses and covered number plates in the FCT,” highlighted the recent directive by the FCT Police Command as part of efforts to curb rising criminal activities, including kidnapping.
Rep. Tolani acknowledged the security intent behind the directive but criticised its abrupt enforcement, which lacked sufficient public notice. This, he argued, had led to widespread harassment of motorists and significant inconvenience to law-abiding citizens.
“While the directive aims to enhance security within the FCT, the sudden enforcement without adequate notice has caused undue hardship, with many vehicles impounded, resulting in economic losses for individuals and businesses,” he stated.
He emphasised that while security measures are vital, they must be implemented in ways that respect individual rights and provide sufficient timelines for compliance.
In response, Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, directed the federal ministry of information and culture to work with relevant stakeholders on a comprehensive public enlightenment campaign. This campaign would educate citizens about the specifics of the regulations and guide them on obtaining necessary permits or modifying their vehicles.
Earlier, in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), FCT Police Command spokesperson SP Josephine Adeh warned motorists to remove tinted glasses from their vehicles or risk impoundment, reiterating, “for now, the use of tinted glasses on vehicles is prohibited.”
