Amanze Chinonye
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly condemned the Nigeria Police Force’s plan to resume enforcement of the Tinted Glass Permit policy from January 2, 2026, describing the move as a “grave affront to the majesty of the court” and a subversion of the rule of law, Prime Business Africa reports.
In a statement dated December 15, 2025, the NBA reacted to a police press release announcing the reactivation of enforcement, accusing the Force of acting in contempt of subsisting court processes and reneging on an earlier undertaking made before the Federal High Court.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe association said the decision by the police leadership to resume enforcement was “reckless” and demonstrated a troubling disregard for due process, despite the Force’s constitutional role as the primary enforcer of the law.
Recalling the background to the dispute, the NBA said the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) had in April 2025 introduced a policy requiring motorists to obtain and annually renew tinted glass permits through an online platform, with enforcement initially slated for June 1 before being postponed to October 2. According to the NBA, the announcement triggered widespread reports of harassment, extortion and rights violations, particularly against young Nigerians.
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On September 2, 2025, the NBA, through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), instituted a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging the legality and constitutionality of the policy. The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025, questioned the authority of the police to impose fees on citizens and described the policy as unconstitutional, illegal, extortionate and economically burdensome.
The association argued, among other things, that the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act of 1991 is a military-era law that fails to meet constitutional standards in a democratic setting; that the National Assembly lacks legislative competence over the matter; and that the policy amounts to a revenue-generation scheme by an institution not authorised by law to generate revenue. It also raised concerns that permit fees were being paid into a private company’s bank account rather than the Treasury Single Account.
The legal battle widened on October 3, 2025, when the Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, in Suit No: FHC/WR/CS/103/2025, ordered parties to maintain the status quo, effectively restraining the police from enforcing the policy pending the determination of a motion for interlocutory injunction.
The NBA said following the court order and public outrage, the IGP convened a high-level meeting involving senior police officers, legal advisers and NBA representatives, at which it was agreed that enforcement of the policy would be suspended pending the outcome of the court cases. The IGP subsequently announced the suspension and directed officers nationwide to cease enforcement.
According to the NBA, the Abuja suit came up for hearing on December 12, 2025, before Justice M. S. Liman of the Federal High Court. During proceedings, counsel to the police, Chief Ayotunde Ogunleye, SAN, informed the court of the agreement suspending enforcement. On the strength of that assurance, the court struck out the motion for interlocutory injunction.
The association said it was therefore “deeply disturbing” that barely one working day later, the police announced a reactivation of enforcement, describing the move as a volte-face that undermines the authority of the court and institutional integrity.
The NBA noted that the substantive suit challenging the policy has been fully heard and judgment reserved, stressing that the Inspector-General of Police has a constitutional duty to respect the judicial process and refrain from actions capable of pre-empting or undermining the court’s eventual decision.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
