NBA Condemns Police Plan to Resume Tinted Glass Permit Enforcement

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the Nigeria Police Force’s plan to restart enforcement of the suspended tinted glass permit policy, saying the move shows disregard for the rule of law and amounts to a challenge to the authority of the courts.

The association’s reaction followed a press statement issued on December 15, 2025, by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, announcing that nationwide enforcement of the policy would resume on January 2, 2026.

In a statement, the NBA said the announcement was made despite an ongoing case before the Federal High Court in Abuja questioning the legality and constitutionality of the policy.

It described the planned enforcement as executive overreach and a clear breach of due process.

The tinted glass permit policy was introduced by the Inspector General of Police in April 2025, mandating vehicle owners to apply for and renew permits annually through an online platform.

Although enforcement was initially fixed for June 1, 2025, it was later deferred to October 2 after widespread public backlash over alleged harassment, extortion and violations of citizens’ rights, particularly involving young Nigerians.

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On September 2, 2025, the NBA, through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025, between the Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association and the Inspector General of Police, among others.

The suit challenges the power of the Nigeria Police Force to impose fees or financial obligations on citizens under the tinted glass permit policy.

The NBA maintains that the policy is unconstitutional, illegal and extortionate, and poses a threat to the rights and economic welfare of Nigerians.

The association further argued that the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act of 1991, upon which the policy is anchored, is a military-era law that fails to meet the requirements of the 1999 Constitution. It also questioned the competence of the National Assembly to enact the law, insisting that it cannot be regarded as a validly made statute.

The NBA warned that enforcement of the policy could encourage disorder, extortion and abuse, citing a history of alleged misconduct by some police officers. It also described the policy as a revenue-generation scheme inconsistent with the statutory role of the police, noting that the permit fees are reportedly paid into the account of a private company.

According to the association, the levy would deepen the financial strain on Nigerians amid prevailing economic challenges and further compound the problem of multiple taxation.

It added that the policy undermines planned tax reforms expected to take effect in January 2026 and fails to account for the fact that many imported modern vehicles come with factory-fitted tinted glass.

The NBA insisted that any attempt to resume enforcement while the case is still pending before the court would undermine the judicial process and urged the police authorities to respect the rule of law by awaiting the court’s decision.