Mariam Sanni
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has urged President Bola Tinubu to call the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin to order, over the planned resumption of enforcement of the suspended tinted glass permit policy from January 2, 2026, as an affront to the authority of the court.
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association NBA, Mazi Afam OsigweNBA, who made the call at a media briefing in Abuja, warned that issues surrounding the legality of the policy are currently a subject of litigation before the Federal High Court in Abuja, for which hearing had been concluded and judgement reserved.
Osigwe, explained that 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.
According to the NBA, its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) had, on September 2, 2025, instituted an action before the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025, between Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association v. Inspector General of Police & Anor, challenging the legality of the Tinted Glass Permit Policy.
He noted that the suit had, among other things, questioned the lack of constitutional or statutory authority vested in the Nigeria Police Force to levy fees or impose financial obligations on citizens under the guise of enforcing the policy.
“In challenging the legality and constitutionality of the policy because the NBA contends that the policy is unconstitutional, obnoxious, illegal, extortionate, and a threat to citizens’ rights and economic well-being, the NBA thus contends in the suit that:
“The Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act of 1991, under which the policy is premised, is a military-era decree that no longer meets the democratic thresholds of justification under Section 45 and other relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution;
“The National Assembly does not have the legislative competence to enact the law; therefore, the same cannot rightly be deemed a law properly made by the National Assembly.
“The enforcement of the unlawful policy will initiate disorder and extortion, given the Nigeria Police’s long and sordid history of extortion, bribery, harassment, intimidation,
“The purpoted notice of resumption at this present phase of harsh economic realities when Nigerians are grappling with lots of challenges will only worsen the situation.They should be allowed to enjoy the festive season without fear of harassment and intimidations”.
The NBA president added that, if the exercise is a crime fighting motive by the police and not otherwise then the said permit should be obtained at point of renewal of vehicle particulars which involves the NPF, Custom, SSS and other licensing authorities.
Sent from my iPhone
