The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) are at odds following the police announcement that enforcement of the suspended tinted glass permit policy will resume on January 2, 2026.
While the NBA has urged President Bola Tinubu to call Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to order, describing the move as “an affront on the authority of the court,” the police insist that no court has barred them from enforcement and that they will proceed unless directed otherwise.
Court Orders and Legal Challenges
A Federal High Court in Warri had, on October 7, issued an interim injunction restraining the IGP and the NPF from enforcing the policy, pending determination of a substantive suit filed by lawyer John Aikpokpo-Martins. Justice H. Nganjiwa ordered the police to maintain the status quo.
Another case challenging the legality of the policy is also before the Federal High Court in Abuja, filed by the NBA’s Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL). The NBA argues that the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act of 1991 is a military-era decree that fails constitutional tests under the 1999 Constitution.
NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, said:
“The IGP has a constitutional obligation to respect the judicial process and refrain from any action capable of pre-empting or undermining the Court’s decision.”
The association described the policy as “unconstitutional, obnoxious, illegal, extortionate, and a threat to citizens’ rights and economic well-being.” It further alleged that fees collected for permits are paid into a private company’s account rather than the government’s Treasury Single Account, raising concerns of corruption.
Police Response
Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, dismissed the NBA’s position, insisting:
“No court ever restrained the IGP or the NPF from enforcing the tinted permit order.”
He argued that criminals have exploited the suspension, citing an incident in Edo State where gunmen in a tinted SUV killed a police inspector after refusing to stop.
Hundeyin explained that the IGP initially suspended enforcement “out of respect for the NBA” to give Nigerians time to regularize their permits. However, he said enforcement must continue until a court explicitly rules otherwise.
“The status quo has always been to continue with enforcement. Suspected criminals are now using tinted glass to perpetrate crime,” he added.
NBA’s Warning
The NBA warned that resuming enforcement would amount to contempt of court and impose unjustified financial hardship on citizens.
“We call on President Bola Tinubu to call the IGP and the NPF to order,” the association stated.
