Motorists and vehicle owners in Calabar, Cross River State capital, are crying out over alleged police harassment and unlawful vehicle impoundment under the guise of enforcing tinted glass permits.
Despite a Federal High Court order restraining the police from enforcing the tinted glass permit policy, enforcement operations have continued unabated across Calabar.
The court order was issued in a case filed by lawyer John Aikpokpo Martins against the Inspector General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force, challenging the legality of the permit system. However, police officers, particularly from the traffic unit, have been stopping vehicles and demanding tinted glass permits, impounding cars that don’t comply. Mr. Dave Odey, a journalist, was driving when officers ordered him to pull over, claiming his vehicle’s front glass was different from the back glass.
“I told him my vehicle glass is not tinted, but he opened my car door and removed the key from the ignition, saying they had orders from above to impound vehicles whose front glass looks different from the back,” Odey lamented. Another resident, Mr. Emmanuel Udofia, had his vehicle impounded because officers claimed the glass was too dark, even though it was factory-fitted.
“I have not done it yet, I am still trying to see who I can call to help me. My family depends on that bus, and if I do not get it out today, there will be no food,” Udofia said, highlighting the impact of the enforcement on his livelihood. Senior Advocate Mba Ukweni condemned the police action, stressing that the law doesn’t empower them to impound vehicles or harass motorists over tinted glass when the vehicles’ documents are valid and nothing incriminating is found.
The police spokesperson didn’t respond to calls, but a top police source claimed they were yet to receive a signal to halt enforcement. The development has sparked concerns about police discretion and the need for adherence to court orders. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has announced the suspension of tinted glass permit enforcement in some parts of the country, following a court order halting the exercise.