The Consequences Of Painting Your Car Army Green In Nigeria

A lot of people usually come up with the question – if they can ship their army green coloured vehicle to Nigeria without having any troubles.

Some shipping companies would even want you to double check before shipping to Nigeria. Some will even suggest you respray the car before shipping.

Here is a footnote from a shipping company to a Nigerian who wanted to get his army coloured car shipped to Nigeria.

Please note that vehicles being shipped to Lagos Nigeria, with dark green, Nigerian military colored exterior, have been causing issues with the Nigerian military. If you have a vehicle that fits this description we highly suggest that you paint the vehicle prior to exporting or the vehicle might be subject to being impounded once discharged in Nigeria.

To settle this and be on a safe side, let’s see what the constitution says about this.
Under the Prohibition of Use Act, 1977, it is against the law to paint your private vehicles ‘army green’ in Nigeria.

Below is the law;

ARMY COLOUR (PROHIBITION OF USE) ACT

Prohibition of use of vehicles painted in army green

1. As from the commencement of this Act, it shall be unlawful for any person to drive or be in charge of any motor vehicle (not being a motor vehicle belonging to the Nigerian Army) painted in the color specified in the Schedule to this Act.

2. Penalties, etc.

(1) Any person who contravenes the provisions of section 1 of this Act is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine of N200 or imprisonment not exceeding six months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

(2) Any motor vehicle operated in contravention of section 1 of this Act shall be liable to seizure as prescribed in subsection (3) below.

(3) Any police officer may seize or cause to be seized any motor vehicle operated as aforesaid and remove such vehicle to any premises under the control of the Government of the Federation of a State or of a Local Government or any agency of any such government; and-

(a) any police officer or any other person acting in pursuance of this subsection shall not be liable for any damage reasonably necessary for the purpose of seizing or removing the vehicle or of gaining access to any part of it in order to facilitate such seizure or removal;

(b) any Government or agency thereof shall not be liable for any damage attributable to sun, rain, wind or other physical conditions or for loss attributable to the foregoing or to the acts of third parties. Reclaiming of impounded vehicles.

Official Cars To The President Of 10 Various Countries And More

3. Reclaiming of impounded vehicles

Any motor vehicle impounded pursuant to this Act shall be released to the rightful owner thereof or to any other person who tenders to the official in charge of the premises referred to in section 2 (3) of this Act sufficient evidence of his entitlement to the custody of the vehicle if such claimant produces a letter under the hand of a superior police officer certifying that arrangements satisfactory to that superior police officer have been made to have the vehicle re-painted forthwith in a colour other than the colour specified in the Schedule to this Act.

4. Interpretation

(1) In this Act unless the context otherwise requires-

“Motor vehicle” means a mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use on roads;

“The Nigerian Army” means the body of that name set up under the Armed Forces Act.

(2) In this Act, references to a vehicle include references to any trailer or other thing attached to the vehicle but do not include references to the contents of the vehicle.