The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has criticised the decision of the Nigeria Police Force to resume enforcement of the suspended tinted glass permit policy, describing the move as a disregard for the rule of law and an affront to the authority of the court.
The position followed a press release dated December 15, 2025, by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, announcing that enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy would resume nationwide from January 2, 2026.
Reacting to the development, the NBA said the announcement was made despite a pending suit before the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging the legality and constitutionality of the policy.
The association argued that the action amounted to executive recklessness and reflected a lack of respect for due process by the police authorities.
The tinted glass permit policy was first introduced by the Inspector General of Police in April 2025, requiring motorists to obtain and renew permits annually through an online platform.
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Enforcement was initially scheduled to commence on June 1, 2025, but was later postponed to October 2, following public outcry over alleged harassment, extortion and rights violations, particularly against young Nigerians.
On September 2, 2025, the NBA, through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), instituted 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 authority of the Nigeria Police Force to impose fees or financial obligations on citizens under the tinted glass permit policy.
In the suit, the NBA contends that the policy is unconstitutional, illegal and extortionate, and poses a threat to citizens’ rights and economic well-being.
The association argues that the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act of 1991, upon which the policy is based, is a military-era law that does not meet constitutional requirements under the 1999 Constitution.
The NBA also questions the legislative competence of the National Assembly to enact the law, arguing that it cannot be regarded as a validly made statute.
It further warned that enforcement of the policy could encourage disorder, extortion and abuse, citing what it described as a long history of misconduct by some police officers.
According to the association, the policy amounts to a revenue-generating drive by the police, contrary to the force’s statutory role, especially as fees are reportedly paid into the account of a private company.
The NBA added that the permit levy would worsen the financial burden on Nigerians already facing economic hardship and increase the multiplicity of taxes in the country.
The association also argued that the policy undermines Nigeria’s ongoing tax reforms expected to take effect in January 2026 and ignores the reality that many modern vehicles imported into the country come with factory-fitted tinted glasses.
The NBA maintained that any attempt to resume enforcement of the policy while the matter remains before the court undermines the judicial process and called on the police to respect the rule of law and await the outcome of the suit.
