The Nigerian Bar Association has issued a strong warning to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over the planned resumption of the tinted glass permit policy, threatening to initiate contempt proceedings if the policy is enforced.
In a statement released on Tuesday and signed by NBA President Afam Osigwe, the association said it would approach the court for committal proceedings against the IGP and the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, should they ignore what it described as a lawful directive to suspend the policy.
The NBA’s reaction follows a press statement dated December 15, 2025, in which the police announced that enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy would resume nationwide from January 2, 2026.
According to the NBA, the move amounts to a direct affront to the authority of the court and a clear violation of the rule of law. The association recalled that the policy, first introduced in April 2025, required motorists to obtain annual tinted glass permits through an online platform. Enforcement was initially slated for June 1, later shifted to October 2, before being suspended.
The NBA noted that the policy triggered widespread complaints of harassment, extortion, and abuse of rights, particularly targeting young Nigerians.
It explained that on September 2, 2025, the association, through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law, filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging the legality of the policy. The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025, questions the constitutionality of the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act of 1991, describing it as a military-era law that falls short of democratic and constitutional standards.
The association further argued that the Nigeria Police Force lacks the authority to generate revenue through such a policy, describing the permit scheme as illegal and extortion-driven. It also raised concerns that the fees are reportedly paid into the account of a private company.
The NBA warned that enforcing the policy while the matter is before the court would amount to overreaching judicial authority. It cited the Supreme Court decision in Governor of Lagos State v. Ojukwu, (1986) 1 NWLR (Pt. 18) 621,to stress that disobedience to court processes threatens constitutional democracy.
The association said its counsel’s undertaking in open court is binding on the police authorities and that any contrary action could attract serious legal consequences. It added that disciplinary action would be taken against any lawyer found to have misled the court.
The NBA also called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, warning that the planned enforcement would impose additional and unjustified financial hardship on Nigerians.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has defended its decision, insisting that the earlier suspension of enforcement was voluntary and not based on any court order. According to the police, the policy is necessary to address rising security concerns such as kidnapping and armed robbery involving unauthorised tinted vehicles.
The police have urged motorists to comply by obtaining permits through approved channels, maintaining that there is no legal restraint on enforcement.
This is shaping up to be a direct test of institutional authority and respect for the rule of law. Someone will have to step back, and soon.