NBA vow to take legal action if Police resume tinted glass permit enforcement

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has urged President Bola Tinubu to call the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to order over the planned resumption of the tinted glass permit policy enforcement from January 2, 2026.

In a statement signed by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the NBA described the announcement as an affront to the authority of the court, noting that the legality of the policy is currently under litigation before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The hearing has concluded, with judgment reserved.

The NBA highlighted that the IGP has a constitutional obligation to respect judicial processes and refrain from any action that could pre-empt or undermine the court’s decision. The association also recalled that the NBA-SPIDEL had instituted an action on September 2, 2025, challenging the constitutionality of the policy, arguing that the 1991 Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act is outdated and that the enforcement of the policy constitutes extortion, financial burden, and a threat to citizens’ rights.

The NBA expressed concern over the police’s long history of harassment, bribery, and extortion, noting that the collection of fees for the permit is being routed into a private account instead of the Treasury Single Account, raising transparency and corruption concerns.

The legal body warned that the planned enforcement of the policy, despite previous court orders and undertakings by the police, reflects a disregard for the rule of law. It threatened to initiate contempt proceedings against both the IGP and the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, should the enforcement proceed.

Furthermore, the NBA directed all its branches and the Human Rights Committee to provide legal representation for any citizen harassed, arrested, or prosecuted due to the policy.

The association called on President Tinubu to intervene immediately, stressing that enforcement of the policy would impose unjustified financial hardship on Nigerians and undermine constitutional democracy.

“The Nigerian Bar Association sincerely hopes that the Nigeria Police Force will retrace its steps, respect the authority of the courts, and align its conduct with constitutional democracy and the rule of law,” the statement concluded.