Abuja, December 17, 2025 – The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has vehemently condemned the Nigeria Police Force’s announcement to resume enforcement of the controversial tinted glass permit policy from January 2, 2026, describing it as a “grave affront to the authority of the court,” a “subversion of the rule of law,” and potential contempt.
In a strongly worded statement issued on December 16, 2025, by NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), the association accused the police of disregarding judicial processes and undertakings made in court. The condemnation comes in response to a December 15 press release by Force Public Relations Officer CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, declaring the reactivation of the policy amid rising vehicle-related crimes involving unauthorised tinted glass.
The policy, introduced in April 2025 by Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, requires motorists to obtain annual tinted glass permits via an online portal (possap.gov.ng). Initial enforcement was set for June 1, 2025, but postponed to October 2 following public outcry over reports of harassment, extortion, and rights violations, particularly targeting young Nigerians.
On September 2, 2025, the NBA, through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), filed Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025 at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging the policy’s legality as unconstitutional, illegal, extortionate, and lacking statutory backing. The suit argues that it relies on the outdated Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act of 1991, a military-era law incompatible with the 1999 Constitution, and imposes undue financial burdens amid economic hardships.
A separate case in the Federal High Court, Warri Division (Suit No: FHC/WR/CS/103/2025), issued an order on October 3, 2025, directing parties to maintain the status quo pending an interlocutory application.
Following engagements between NBA leaders and police authorities, enforcement was suspended pending court outcomes. During a hearing on December 12, 2025, in the Abuja suit, police counsel Chief Ayotunde Ogunleye (SAN) assured the court of the suspension, leading Justice M.S. to strike out the NBA’s motion for an interlocutory injunction based on this undertaking.
The NBA described the police’s sudden reversal as “executive recklessness” and a direct challenge to judicial authority, warning that it could encourage extortion and abuse by officers. The association highlighted that permit fees reportedly benefit private interests rather than public coffers, adding to Nigeria’s layers of taxation.
Osigwe urged IGP Egbetokun to immediately withdraw the announcement and halt enforcement until all cases are resolved. The NBA has directed its branches and Human Rights Committee to provide free legal aid to any motorist harassed or prosecuted under the policy. It further threatened to initiate contempt proceedings against the IGP and CSP Hundeyin if the directive is ignored, and called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene.
Meanwhile, police spokespersons have clarified that no court order explicitly restrains enforcement, insisting the suspension was voluntary to allow compliance time, and resumption is necessary due to criminals exploiting tinted vehicles for crimes like kidnapping and armed robbery.
The development has sparked widespread debate, with motorists and rights groups expressing concerns over potential roadside abuses as the new enforcement date approaches.
NBA Slams Police Over Planned Resumption of Tinted Glass Permit Enforcement as Contempt of Court
