NBA Takes Police Boss to Court Over Tinted Glass Permit Policy

The Nigerian Bar Association has taken a bold step against the Nigeria Police Force by filing a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge the controversial tinted-glass permit policy recently introduced by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

The association insists that the policy, which compels motorists to apply for and renew annual permits before using tinted vehicle glass, is unconstitutional and infringes on the rights of Nigerians. It also raised serious concerns about transparency, alleging that fees generated from the initiative are being directed into private accounts rather than into the government’s Treasury Single Account.

The decision to seek judicial intervention was made during the association’s pre-conference National Executive Council meeting held in Enugu on August 23. At the gathering, the leadership of the NBA condemned the initiative and resolved that the matter must be pursued in court as a matter of public interest.

According to the Inspector-General of Police, the tinted-glass permit policy was introduced in April 2025 and was initially scheduled to take effect from June 1, 2025, before being postponed to October 2, 2025. Under the policy, every motorist whose vehicle has tinted windows is required to obtain an annual permit through an online portal specifically created for the process.

The NBA, however, strongly disagrees with the initiative. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Chairman of the Section on Public Interest and Development Law, Professor Paul Ananaba (SAN), explained that the association had been reliably informed that the policy was not being handled transparently. He noted that a private vendor had been contracted to manage the portal and oversee the process, with revenues reportedly flowing into a private account rather than the Federation Account.

“In April 2025, the Inspector General of Police purportedly introduced a policy which mandated members of the Nigerian motoring public to apply for and obtain annual motor tinted glass permits from the Nigeria Police Force for a fee. The Inspector General of Police in the same month purportedly launched a digital portal (possap.gov.ng) through which the application for tinted glass permits was to be processed. We are being informed that the portal and the policy are to be managed by a private vendor, and there is no indication that the funds generated from the enforcement of the purported policy will go into the Federation Account,” the statement read.

Beyond questions of transparency, the NBA also highlighted disturbing reports of harassment and extortion already being experienced by citizens. Although official enforcement of the policy has not begun, some motorists have allegedly been stopped at police checkpoints and forced to pay bribes under the guise of non-compliance with the new regulation. The NBA described this as unacceptable, warning that the initiative could worsen the already strained relationship between the police and the public.

The body further argued that the policy undermines constitutionally guaranteed rights, including the rights to dignity, privacy, freedom of movement and property. It said the legal foundation of the directive was shaky, since it relies on the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act, a military decree enacted in 1991. According to the NBA, this law may not satisfy the constitutional test of being reasonably justifiable in a democratic society, particularly three decades after Nigeria’s return to civil rule.

Acting on these concerns, the NBA’s Section on Public Interest and Development Law filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, September 2, 2025. The case, titled The Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association v. The Inspector General of Police & Anor (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/182/2025), has already been lodged with the court registry but is yet to be assigned to a judge.

Professor Ananaba confirmed that the NBA would pursue the matter to its logical conclusion. He also called on the Nigeria Police to respect the judicial process and suspend implementation of the policy until the court rules on the matter. “The Nigerian Bar Association remains committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of citizens. We urge the Inspector-General of Police to suspend the enforcement of this policy pending judicial determination,” he said.

The policy itself is not new to Nigerians. It was originally introduced years ago but fell into disuse after repeated complaints of abuse by security personnel. For many motorists, tinted glass has become a symbol of harassment, as it is often used by officers as an excuse to stop vehicles and extort money. The Force, however, has maintained that regulating tinted glass is a security necessity, especially in a country battling crimes ranging from armed robbery to kidnapping.

In May 2025, the police reactivated the digital tinted glass permit platform, insisting that the reform would enhance transparency, reduce abuse, and strengthen national security. But motorists quickly pushed back, describing the required N16,000 annual fee as burdensome and insensitive, particularly at a time when Nigerians are struggling under the weight of inflation and economic hardship.

Civil society groups have also echoed the concerns raised by the NBA, warning that the initiative could open new avenues for corruption and deepen mistrust between the police and the public. Critics argue that the Nigeria Police Force should focus more on building public trust and improving operational efficiency rather than introducing new levies on already struggling citizens.

For now, the fate of the tinted-glass permit policy rests with the courts. If the judiciary sides with the NBA, the policy could be scrapped or substantially revised. But if the courts uphold the position of the Inspector-General of Police, Nigerians may soon have to comply with the regulation despite widespread disapproval. Either way, the case has opened up a fresh national debate about transparency, the limits of police powers, and the protection of civil liberties in Nigeria’s democracy.