The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has issued a stern warning to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) over its announced plan to resume enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy, threatening to initiate legal action against the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.
NBA Condemns Police Action as Contempt of Court
In a strongly-worded statement released on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, the NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, condemned the police announcement as a grave affront to the majesty of the court and a subversion of the rule of law. The association described the move to reactivate enforcement from January 2, 2026, as an act of executive recklessness.
Osigwe, speaking via the NBA's official X handle @NigBarAssoc, accused the police leadership of exhibiting a troubling disregard for due process. He stated that the action portrays the force as lacking respect for the judiciary and the legal framework it is constitutionally bound to uphold.
Legal Threats and Call for Presidential Intervention
The NBA has explicitly threatened to commence committal proceedings against both IGP Kayode Egbetokun and the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, should the police fail to rescind the decision. Committal proceedings are a legal process that can lead to imprisonment for contempt of court.
The association warned that the planned resumption would impose unjustified financial hardship on citizens and amount to a direct slap on the face of the court, especially considering the matter is still subject to ongoing litigation. The NBA also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call the police force and its leadership to order.
Furthermore, the NBA stated it would initiate appropriate professional proceedings against any legal counsel found to have misled the court in relation to this policy.
Background and Public Reaction
The controversy stems from a statement issued by police spokesperson CSP Benjamin Hundeyin on Monday, December 15, 2025, announcing the new enforcement date. This announcement has sparked mixed reactions from the Nigerian public, with many questioning its legality while the case is still before a court.
Previously, the police had introduced a digital portal to streamline the application process for tinted glass permits, allowing motorists to register, pay, and schedule inspections online. This move was initially presented as a solution to public complaints about harassment over unofficial tint permits.
The NBA's forceful intervention sets the stage for a major constitutional confrontation between the legal community and the police leadership in the new year, centering on the principles of due process and respect for judicial authority.
