The Nigerian Bar Association and the Nigerian Police Force are at odds over the police plan to resume enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy from January 2, 2026.
The disagreement followed a fresh notice issued by the police, which the NBA described as a violation of existing court orders. The association urged Tinubu to call the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to order, insisting that the move amounts to contempt of court and an affront to judicial authority.
The NBA recalled that a Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, on October 7, 2025, issued an interim injunction restraining the IGP and the Police from implementing or enforcing the tinted glass permit policy. The ruling followed a suit filed by John Aikpokpo Martins, who challenged the policy as unlawful and burdensome to citizens. Justice H. Nganjiwa ordered the Police and their agents to halt enforcement pending the hearing and determination of the substantive motion.
Another case on the same subject is also pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja and has been adjourned for judgment.
In a statement by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the NBA said the IGP has a constitutional duty to respect the judicial process and avoid actions capable of undermining court decisions. He disclosed that the NBA, through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law, had earlier filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging the legality of the policy.
The association argued that the Motor Tinted Glass Act of 1991 is a military era decree that does not meet constitutional standards. It also described the policy as illegal, extortionate, and a threat to citizens’ rights and economic wellbeing. According to the NBA, the enforcement would encourage harassment and extortion, add to multiple taxation, impose hardship on Nigerians, undermine tax reforms expected to begin in January 2026, and portray the country as unfriendly to business.
The NBA further raised concerns that fees for the permit are paid into a private bank account instead of the Treasury Single Account, describing this as a serious transparency issue. It added that modern vehicles are imported with factory fitted tinted glass, yet the policy fails to recognise this reality. The association also faulted the requirement for renewal of existing permits, saying it has no legal basis.
The NBA said a court order issued on October 3, 2025, had directed parties to maintain the status quo, which restrained the Police from enforcing the policy. It noted that public outrage and the court order earlier led to a meeting involving police authorities and NBA representatives, making the planned resumption of enforcement puzzling.
Calling on Tinubu to intervene, Osigwe said the policy would impose unjustified financial hardship on Nigerians and amount to a slap on the authority of the court.
Responding, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, insisted that no court has restrained the Police from enforcing the tinted glass permit. He said the Police would continue enforcement until a court orders otherwise.
Hundeyin argued that the suspension of enforcement had been exploited by criminal elements. He cited an incident in Edo State where occupants of a tinted Lexus SUV allegedly opened fire on police officers during a chase, killing an inspector and injuring others.
According to him, the IGP suspended enforcement earlier out of respect for the NBA, to give Nigerians time to regularise their permits. He added that although the matter is still before the courts, the processes are slow and the status quo remains enforcement.
Hundeyin maintained that no court has ever restrained the IGP or the Police from enforcing the tinted glass permit policy, adding that the Police legal department would respond appropriately if the NBA proceeds with a contempt suit.
