The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, on Tuesday urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to immediately suspend any move to resume enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy until all pending court cases on the matter are fully resolved.
Osigwe also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to rein in the police chief, warning that proceeding with the enforcement would amount to a “slap on the face of the court”.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the NBA President described the renewed enforcement of the tinted glass permit as illegal, a grave disregard for judicial authority, and a direct assault on the rule of law in Nigeria.
It will be recalled that in April 2025, Egbetokun unveiled a policy requiring motorists to obtain annual tinted glass permits through an online portal (possap.gov.ng).
Although enforcement was initially scheduled for June 1, 2025, it was later deferred to October 2.
The announcement of the policy triggered widespread complaints across the country, with reports alleging harassment, extortion and violations of citizens’ fundamental rights by police officers.
In response, the NBA, through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), on September 2, 2025, filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, marked Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025, challenging the legality of the tinted glass permit policy.
Among other issues, the suit questioned the absence of any constitutional or statutory authority empowering the Nigeria Police Force to impose fees or other financial burdens on citizens under the guise of enforcing the policy.
The NBA maintained that the policy is unconstitutional, oppressive, unlawful, extortionary and detrimental to citizens’ rights and economic welfare.
Osigwe, however, criticised a recent statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, announcing the reactivation of enforcement of the tinted glass permit.
According to him: “The Nigerian Bar Association calls on the Inspector General of Police to immediately withdraw the statement issued by CSP Benjamin Hundeyin and halt all attempts to reactivate enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy pending the final determination of all related court actions.
“Furthermore, in defence of the rights of Nigerians, the NBA hereby directs all NBA Branches and the NBA Human Rights Committee to immediately intervene and provide legal representation to any Nigerian who is harassed, arrested, whose movement is impeded, whose vehicle is impounded, or who is prosecuted by the Police on account of the alleged violation of this unlawful tinted glass permit policy.”
Osigwe stressed that the association would not stand by while Nigerians are subjected to intimidation or maltreatment under a policy that remains before the courts.
He added: “Should the Inspector General of Police fail or refuse to heed this lawful admonition, the Nigerian Bar Association will commence committal proceedings against the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, until they purge themselves of contempt.”
He further cautioned that disciplinary action would be taken against any “counsel found to have misled the Court”.
Osigwe expressed hope that the Nigeria Police Force would reconsider its position, respect judicial authority, and conduct itself in accordance with constitutional democracy and the rule of law.
He also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene, noting that resumption of the policy would not only be contemptuous of the courts but would also impose unjustified financial hardship on Nigerians.