The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has filed a lawsuit against the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, challenging the legality of the Nigeria Police Force’s tinted glass permit policy.
The policy, introduced in April 2025, mandates vehicle owners to apply for and renew tinted glass permits annually through a newly launched police portal.
A specific fee is required, and enforcement was initially scheduled for June 1 but later postponed to October 2, 2025.
However, the NBA contends that the policy lacks legal backing and constitutes a violation of constitutional rights.
At its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on August 23, 2025, in Enugu, the NBA resolved to challenge the policy in court.
The association believes the policy infringes on citizens’ rights and is being enforced under questionable legal authority.
In a suit filed on September 2, 2025, at the Federal High Court, Abuja (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/182/2025), the NBA through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), seeks to halt the policy’s enforcement.
“The policy violates citizens’ rights to dignity, privacy, free movement, and property ownership,” the NBA said in a statement.
“These are fundamental rights protected by the 1999 Constitution.”
The association listed several major concerns:
Legal Basis: The policy allegedly relies on the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act (Decree 1991), a military-era law that, according to the NBA, may not meet democratic standards required under Section 45 of the 1999 Constitution.
No Legal Provision for Fees or Renewals: The NBA argues that the existing legislation does not provide for fee-based annual renewals, undermining the policy’s legality.
Transparency of Fund Management: The NBA criticized the handling of funds collected through the policy. Payments are reportedly made to a private account—PARKWAY
PROJECTS, Account No: 4001017918, which is not tied to the Central Bank of Nigeria or the Federal Government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA), raising accountability concerns.
Ongoing Harassment Despite Enforcement Delay: Despite the delay in full enforcement, citizens have reportedly faced police harassment and extortion at checkpoints, allegedly under the guise of enforcing the permit policy.
The NBA-SPIDEL, under the leadership of its Transition Committee Chairman, Prof. Paul Ananaba, SAN, and the Public Interest Litigation Committee led by Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun, SAN, is handling the case and has been directed to see it through to conclusion.
The Bar Association reaffirmed its commitment to defending public interest and upholding the rule of law, vowing to ensure the tinted glass permit policy is subjected to judicial scrutiny.
