The House of Representatives has directed the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command to cease the indiscriminate harassment of motorists and to release vehicles impounded solely for violations related to tinted glasses and covered number plates, provided no other infractions are involved.
In a resolution passed during Tuesday’s plenary, the House also mandated the FCT Police Command to issue a public notice granting a grace period of no less than 90 days for vehicle owners to comply with regulations regarding tinted glasses and covered number plates.
Additionally, the lawmakers urged the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture to collaborate with stakeholders to launch a comprehensive public enlightenment campaign.
The initiative aims to educate citizens on the specifics of these regulations and the procedures for obtaining necessary permits or making required modifications to their vehicles.
The resolutions followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Rep. Tolani Shagaya, representing Asa/Ilorin West federal constituency of Kwara State.
The motion, titled “Addressing the Enforcement of Ban on Tinted Glasses and Covered Number Plates in the FCT,” highlighted the abrupt enforcement of the directive and its impact on motorists.
Rep. Shagaya argued that while the ban was introduced to curb criminal activities such as kidnapping, its sudden implementation without adequate public notice has led to widespread harassment and inconvenience for law-abiding citizens.
“Although the directive is intended to enhance security in the FCT, the lack of sufficient time for compliance has resulted in numerous vehicles being impounded, causing undue hardship and economic losses to individuals and businesses,” he stated.
He added that while security measures are crucial for citizen safety, their enforcement must respect individual rights and allow reasonable timelines for compliance.
The House unanimously adopted the motion and directed its Committee on Police to work with the Nigeria Police Force to establish clear guidelines for the enforcement of such directives in the future.
These guidelines will ensure adequate public awareness and reasonable compliance timelines before implementation.