The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has issued a strong warning to President Bola Tinubu, calling on him to immediately restrain the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, from proceeding with the controversial tinted glass permit enforcement scheduled to commence on 2 January 2026.
Court Order Disregarded, Says NBA
In a statement released by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the NBA expressed deep concern over the announcement made by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin. The legal body insists this move shows a blatant disregard for judicial authority, as the matter is currently sub-judice.
The association revealed that its Section on Public Interest and Development Law had already filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja on 2 September 2025. The suit, with number FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025, challenges the very legality of the police imposing fees on citizens for tinted glass permits.
Constitutional and Transparency Concerns Raised
The NBA argues that the policy is based on the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act of 1991, a decree from the military era. According to the association, this law fails to meet democratic standards under Section 45 of the 1999 Constitution and falls outside the National Assembly's legislative competence, rendering it invalid.
Beyond legality, the NBA highlighted critical issues of transparency and potential abuse. It noted that payments for the permits are directed into a private bank account, bypassing the official Treasury Single Account (TSA). The association warned that enforcement would inevitably lead to widespread extortion, harassment, and intimidation of citizens by police officers, given historical patterns of misconduct.
Status Quo Order and Broken Undertaking
The legal body reminded the public that the Warri Division of the Federal High Court had, on 3 October 2025, ordered all parties to maintain the status quo in a related case. This order restrained the police from enforcing the policy pending the court's final determination.
Furthermore, the NBA stated that following public outcry, police representatives had agreed in a meeting to suspend all enforcement actions until the court delivers its judgment. The association expressed shock at the recent announcement to resume enforcement, labeling it an act of "executive recklessness" and a direct violation of due process.
The NBA emphasized that the police's own counsel had given a binding undertaking in open court to await the judicial outcome. Any action to the contrary would constitute overreaching the court and undermining the rule of law, a principle firmly established in the Supreme Court's decision in Governor of Lagos State v. Ojukwu (1986).
NBA Mobilizes for Citizen Defence and Issues Ultimatum
In a decisive move, the NBA has directed all its branches and the NBA Human Rights Committee to provide immediate legal representation to any Nigerian harassed, arrested, or prosecuted under this policy from January 2nd.
The association also issued a stern warning: should the police proceed with enforcement, it will initiate contempt of court proceedings against both the Inspector General of Police and the Force Spokesperson.
In its concluding remarks, the NBA appealed directly to President Bola Tinubu to intervene. It stressed that the enforcement would not only flout judicial authority but also impose an unjust financial burden on citizens already grappling with severe economic challenges.
