By Olatunbosun Obafemi
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has formally put the Nigeria Police Force on notice over its ongoing enforcement of the controversial tinted permit policy, insisting that the matter is already before a Federal High Court.
In a statement issued on Friday, the association disclosed that it had notified the police of the pendency of Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025, which challenges the legality of the tinted glass permit policy. The NBA stressed that continuing to enforce the policy while it is being contested in court amounts to a violation of due process and the rule of law.
The association, through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), warned that it would not hesitate to initiate contempt proceedings against any officer or department of the police found to be acting in defiance of the ongoing litigation.
“The NBA has formally notified the Nigeria Police Force of the pendency of Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025 challenging the legality of the tinted permit policy,” the statement read. “We demand the immediate abatement of all acts in disregard of the court. The rule of law must prevail.”
The NBA explained that the case was instituted to test the constitutionality of the policy, which it argued infringes on citizens’ rights to freedom of movement and fair treatment under the law. It also noted that motorists had repeatedly complained of harassment and extortion by law enforcement officers under the guise of enforcing the tinted permit requirement.
Chairman of NBA-SPIDEL, Dr. Monday Ubani, emphasized that no government agency is above the law, stressing that the police must await judicial determination before taking further steps. “The NBA will proceed with contempt and disciplinary proceedings against any erring officers. The judiciary must be allowed to pronounce on the matter without interference,” he said.
The tinted glass permit policy, introduced more than a decade ago, was originally designed as a security measure to curb the use of vehicles with obscured windows by criminals. However, critics argue that the policy has been poorly implemented, with unclear guidelines, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and alleged exploitation by security agencies.
The NBA’s intervention has reignited debate on the policy’s relevance and enforcement, with civil rights groups backing the association’s stance that citizens should not be subjected to unlawful treatment while the matter is pending before a court of competent jurisdiction.
