The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the decision of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to resume enforcement of the suspended motor vehicle tinted glass permit policy, describing the move as a blatant disregard for the rule of law, due process, and the authority of the courts.
In a strongly worded statement dated December 15, 2025, and signed by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), the NBA reacted to a press release issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, announcing that enforcement of the policy would recommence on January 2, 2026.
The association said the announcement confirmed a troubling pattern of executive recklessness by the police, noting that the decision was taken despite a pending suit challenging the legality and constitutionality of the policy before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The NBA recalled that in April 2025, the Inspector General of Police introduced the policy, which mandates vehicle owners to obtain annual tinted glass permits via an online platform, with enforcement initially slated for June 1, later shifted to October 2.
According to the association, the policy quickly became associated with widespread reports of harassment, extortion, and human rights abuses, particularly against young Nigerians.
In response, the NBA, through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), filed Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025 on September 2, 2025, challenging the policy. The suit questions the authority of the police to impose fees or financial obligations on citizens under the guise of enforcement.
The NBA argued that the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act of 1991, upon which the policy is based, is a military-era decree that fails to meet democratic and constitutional standards under the 1999 Constitution.
It further contended that the National Assembly lacked the legislative competence to enact the law, rendering it invalid.
The association also warned that enforcement of the policy would fuel extortion and disorder, given what it described as the police’s history of bribery, harassment and abuse.
It accused the NPF of using the policy as a revenue-generating scheme, despite not being authorised by law to generate revenue, and expressed concern that permit fees are paid into the account of a private company.
According to the NBA, the levy imposes additional financial hardship on Nigerians already grappling with economic challenges, undermines Nigeria’s tax reform efforts scheduled to take effect in January 2026, and adds to the multiplicity of taxes and taxing agencies in the country.
It also faulted the policy for ignoring the reality that many modern vehicles are imported with factory-fitted tinted glass.
The association warned that if the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, fails to reverse the decision, it will initiate committal proceedings against him and the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, for contempt of court.
It also threatened professional disciplinary action against any legal practitioner found to have misled the court.
The NBA stressed that statements made in open court by Chief Ayotunde Ogunleye (SAN) constituted a binding judicial undertaking on the police, warning that any action contrary to it amounts to overreaching the court, as established by the Supreme Court in Governor of Lagos State v. Ojukwu (1986).
While urging the police to retrace their steps and respect constitutional democracy, the NBA also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene by directing the police leadership to halt the planned resumption of the policy, warning that its enforcement would undermine the authority of the courts and worsen the economic burden on Nigerians.
