The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has accused the Nigeria Police Force of flagrantly defying the authority of the court by announcing the resumption of the controversial motor vehicle tinted glass permit policy.
The association described the move as a “grave affront to the majesty of the court and a subversion of the rule of law,” warning that the planned enforcement threatens citizens’ rights and economic well-being.
The condemnation follows a press release dated 15th December 2025, issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, which stated that the enforcement of the suspended tinted glass permit policy would resume from 2nd January 2026.
The NBA noted that this announcement directly contradicts prior assurances given to the Federal High Court, Abuja, and represents a reckless overreach by the Police.
NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, said, “It is deeply disturbing that barely one working day after the Court relied on the undertaking of the Defendants’ counsel, a contradictory statement emerged announcing a reactivation of enforcement. This represents a reckless overreach and contemptuous disregard for the authority of the Court, and a serious assault on institutional integrity.”
The controversy over the tinted glass permit policy began in April 2025, when the Inspector General of Police introduced a policy mandating citizens to obtain annual tinted glass permits via an online platform (possap.gov.ng). Enforcement was initially set for June 1, 2025, later postponed to October 2, amid widespread reports of harassment, extortion, and civil rights violations, particularly targeting young Nigerians.
On 2nd September 2025, the NBA, through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), filed a suit before the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging the legality of the tinted glass policy. The suit, instituted as FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025 between Incorporated Trustees of the NBA v. Inspector General of Police & Anor, contended that the policy is unconstitutional, illegal, and a threat to citizens’ rights.
The NBA argued that:
- The Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act of 1991, under which the policy is premised, is a military-era decree that does not meet democratic thresholds under the Constitution.
- The National Assembly lacked legislative competence to enact such a law.
- The policy is a revenue-generating scheme contrary to the statutory role of the Nigeria Police Force, with proceeds paid into a private company account rather than the Treasury Single Account.
- The policy imposes financial burdens on Nigerians and undermines economic reforms and tax policies set for 2026.
- Enforcement ignores factory-fitted tinted glass in imported vehicles and nullifies existing permits without legal basis.
The NBA emphasized that the Police’s history of extortion, harassment, and intimidation compounds the risks of enforcing the policy.
Court processes were duly served on the Defendants, who engaged Chief Ayotunde Ogunleye, SAN, as counsel. On 3rd October 2025, the Federal High Court, Warri Division, directed parties to maintain the status quo in a related suit, restraining the Police from enforcing the policy pending determination of a Motion for Interlocutory Injunction.
Following public outrage over enforcement attempts, the IGP convened a meeting with NBA representatives, including Osigwe, SAN, Olukunle Edun, SAN, Paul Daudu, SAN, and Mr. John Aikpokpo-Martins. It was agreed that enforcement would be suspended until court matters were resolved.
During proceedings on 12th December 2025 before Hon. Justice M. S. Liman of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Chief Ogunleye, SAN, informed the court of the agreement suspending enforcement, which the court accepted. Osigwe noted,
“The statement made in open court by Chief Ogunleye constituted a judicial undertaking binding on the Defendants. Any contrary executive action amounts to overreaching the court and undermines the rule of law.”
The NBA described the sudden announcement to resume enforcement as a blatant breach of that judicial undertaking.
“It portrays the Nigeria Police Force as having scant regard for the rule of law and as a body intent on imposing financial hardship on Nigerians for the financial gains of private interests,” Osigwe said.
In response, the NBA directed all its branches and the NBA Human Rights Committee to provide legal representation to any citizen harassed, arrested, or prosecuted under the tinted glass permit policy.
The association also warned that failure by the Inspector General of Police to halt enforcement could result in committal proceedings against the IGP and CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, with professional proceedings initiated against any counsel found to have misled the court.
Osigwe further urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene, stating, “The planned resumption of the policy will not only amount to a slap on the face of the court but also impose unjustified financial hardship on citizens.
The Police must respect the authority of the courts and align its conduct with constitutional democracy and the rule of law.”
