Tinted windows, covered plates number compliance; House of Reps tells Police to allow 90 days grace

Tinted windows, covered plates number compliance; House of Reps tells Police to allow 90 days grace

The House of Representatives has instructed the FCT Police Command to provide vehicle owners with a 90-day grace period to meet the requirements regarding tinted windows and covered number plates.

This decision, made after a motion by Mukhtar Tolani Shagaya, also demands an end to the arbitrary harassment of drivers.

Additionally, the House has called for the immediate release of vehicles seized solely for these infractions, as long as there are no other violations involved.

The House further tasked the Committee on Police Affairs with engaging the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force to establish clear and consistent enforcement guidelines for similar directives in the future.

This includes ensuring sufficient public awareness and setting reasonable timelines before enforcement.

Additionally, the House called on the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to launch a public enlightenment campaign, educating citizens on the regulations and the process for obtaining necessary permits or modifying their vehicles.

Shagaya highlighted that the recent FCT Police Command directive aimed to address rising security concerns, such as kidnappings, by banning vehicles with tinted windows and covered number plates.

However, he noted that the sudden enforcement, without proper public notice, has led to widespread harassment of motorists and significant inconvenience for law-abiding citizens.

Shagaya acknowledged the importance of security measures but stressed that these must be enforced in a way that respects citizens’ rights and allows adequate time for compliance, avoiding undue hardship or economic losses.