NBA And Police at Odds Over Enforcement of Tinted Glass Permits

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) are at odds over the police’s recent notice indicating plans to resume enforcement of the suspended tinted glass permit policy from January 2, 2026.

The NBA has urged President Bola Tinubu to call the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to order, describing the planned action as a challenge to the authority of the courts. In contrast, the police stated that no court has restrained them from enforcing the tinted glass permit, and that enforcement will continue unless a court directs otherwise.

A Federal High Court in Warri had on October 7 issued an interim injunction stopping the IGP and the NPF from implementing the policy, following a motion by John Aikpokpo-Martins, who argued the policy was unlawful and burdensome. Another related case is pending before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

In a statement, NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, said the IGP has a constitutional obligation to respect the judicial process. NBA-SPIDEL had filed Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025 in September 2025, challenging the legality of the tinted glass permit policy.

The NBA argued that the policy is unconstitutional, illegal, and extortionate, claiming it undermines citizens’ rights, adds unnecessary financial burdens, and encourages corruption. The association highlighted that modern vehicles imported into Nigeria often come with factory-fitted tinted glass, yet the policy imposes additional levies payable into a private bank account rather than the Treasury Single Account. The NBA also noted that the policy nullifies existing permits without legal basis.

The NBA cited a Warri court order from October 3, which directed parties to maintain the status quo in a related suit, effectively restraining the police from enforcing the policy. The association questioned why the police announced on Monday that enforcement would resume in January 2026.

The police, through Force PRO Benjamin Hundeyin, said the policy had never been restrained by any court. He added that the temporary suspension was meant to allow citizens more time to regularise their tinted glass registrations, but criminal elements have exploited the delay. Hundeyin cited a case in Edo State where a tinted Lexus SUV refused to stop for police, resulting in the death of a police inspector.

He insisted that enforcement will continue until a court rules otherwise and that the NPF’s legal department will handle any potential lawsuit from the NBA regarding contempt of court.

The disagreement highlights ongoing tension between the NBA’s legal challenges and the NPF’s security concerns over tinted glass vehicles.