The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has issued a stern warning to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, threatening to initiate committal proceedings over the planned resumption of the suspended motor vehicle tinted glass permit policy.
In a strongly worded statement released on Tuesday and signed by NBA President, Afam Osigwe, the association said it would proceed with contempt charges if the IGP failed to comply with what it described as a “lawful admonition” to immediately halt the enforcement of the policy.
The NBA also cautioned that it would not hesitate to commence professional disciplinary proceedings against any legal practitioner found to have misled the court in matters relating to the policy.
The association’s reaction followed a police press statement dated December 15, 2025, signed by Hundeyin, announcing that enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy would resume nationwide from January 2, 2026.
Describing the move as “a grave affront to the majesty of the court” and a blatant subversion of the rule of law, the NBA said the police action amounted to a direct challenge to judicial authority and constitutional governance.
The NBA recalled that the IGP had, in April 2025, introduced a policy mandating motorists to obtain annual tinted glass permits via an online platform. Enforcement was initially slated for June 1, 2025, later deferred to October 2 following public backlash.
According to the association, the policy triggered widespread complaints of harassment, extortion and abuse of fundamental rights, particularly against young Nigerians.
“On September 2, 2025, the Nigerian Bar Association, through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), instituted an action before the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025, between Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association v. Inspector General of Police & Anor, challenging the legality of the Tinted Glass Permit Policy,” the statement said.
The NBA argued that the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act of 1991, upon which the policy is founded, is a military-era legislation that falls short of democratic and constitutional standards.
It further contended that the National Assembly lacks the legislative competence to enact such a law, rendering both the statute and the policy unconstitutional, illegal, and extortionate.
“The enforcement of this unlawful policy will inevitably breed disorder and extortion, given the Nigeria Police Force’s long and sordid history of bribery, harassment, intimidation and extra-judicial killings,” the association stated.
It further alleged that the policy was a thinly veiled revenue-generating scheme, noting that the Nigeria Police Force is not, by law, a revenue-generating institution.
“This concern is compounded by the disturbing fact that fees paid for the permits are remitted into the account of a private company,” the NBA added.
The association disclosed that all court processes had been duly served on the defendants, including the IGP, who engaged a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Ayotunde Ogunleye, SAN, to represent the police.
It also cited a separate suit, No: FHC/WR/CS/103/2025, instituted at the Federal High Court, Warri Division, in which the court, on October 3, 2025, ordered parties to maintain the status quo, effectively restraining the police from enforcing the policy pending the determination of a motion for interlocutory injunction.
According to Osigwe, the IGP had earlier suspended enforcement of the policy after engagements with the NBA and in deference to court proceedings.
He noted that the motion for interlocutory injunction filed by NBA-SPIDEL was struck out on December 12, 2025, based on the IGP’s undertaking before the court.
He described the police announcement to resume enforcement barely 24 hours later as “reckless overreach” and “a contemptuous disregard for the authority of the court.”
The NBA urged the IGP to immediately withdraw the statement announcing the resumption of enforcement and to suspend the policy pending the final determination of all pending suits.
It also directed its branches nationwide and its Human Rights Committee to provide free legal representation to any Nigerian harassed, arrested or penalised under the policy.
Citing the landmark Supreme Court decision in Governor of Lagos State v. Ojukwu (1986) 1 NWLR (Pt. 18) 621, the association warned that disobedience of court orders strikes at the heart of constitutional democracy and the rule of law.
“It is our sincere hope that the Nigeria Police Force will retrace its steps and respect the authority of the courts,” the NBA said.
“Should the Inspector General of Police fail or refuse to heed this lawful admonition, the Nigerian Bar Association will commence committal proceedings against the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, until they purge themselves of contempt.
“Appropriate professional proceedings will also be initiated against any counsel found to have misled the court,” the association warned.
The NBA further called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene, arguing that the planned resumption of the policy would not only amount to a slap in the face of the judiciary but also impose unjustified financial hardship on Nigerians.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has defended its decision, citing rising security threats, including armed robbery and kidnapping, allegedly facilitated by unauthorised tinted vehicles.
Hundeyin maintained that the earlier suspension of enforcement was voluntary and not based on any court order, insisting that the policy is designed to enhance public safety and protect lives and property.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Hundeyin justified the enforcement of the permit by saying, “The police tried to stop a Lexus SUV with a fully tinted vehicle. The occupants refused to stop, and there was a pursuit, and upon stopping them, the police approached. The next thing was for the occupants of this vehicle to open fire on the police officer. The officer, an inspector, immediately died. They were able to do this because the vehicle was fully tinted. The police couldn’t see from the outside that the occupants were carrying arms. That and many other cases.”
“The mandate of the police is to protect life and property. We will not fold our arms and watch things degenerate. We will do what needs to be done. As I said, there is no court order restraining police from implementing the policy. Since the case is ongoing… we will continue to do the right thing by enforcing this permit. Until the court makes a clear pronouncement, we will continue the enforcement of that policy. We have not been served with court papers on contempt. When we have the paper, we will respond accordingly. Regarding the money to be generated from the permit, it is aimed at using it to maintain a dedicated website for the scheme”, he concluded.
He urged motorists to comply by obtaining the required permits through approved channels, insisting that no legal restraint exists against the enforcement of the policy.
