The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging the legality of the Nigeria Police Force’s tinted glass permit policy.
This was one of the key resolutions reached at the NBA’s National Executive Council (NEC) pre-conference meeting held on 23 August 2025, in Enugu.
In April 2025, the Inspector General of Police introduced a policy mandating motorists to apply for and renew tinted glass permits annually through a digital portal managed by a private vendor.
The policy also required the payment of fees, raising concerns about transparency as the proceeds are reportedly paid into a private account not linked to the Federation Account or the Federal Government’s Treasury Single Account.
Although the enforcement date was shifted from June 1 to October 2, reports of harassment and extortion of motorists at checkpoints have already surfaced.
The NBA expressed worry that the policy threatens citizens’ rights to dignity, privacy, freedom of movement, and ownership of property as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution.
The association further questioned the validity of the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act, a military-era decree under which the Police based the policy.
It argued that the Act may not pass constitutional scrutiny in a democratic society, especially as it makes no provision for renewal or payment of fees for permits.
In suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/182/2025, filed on September 2, 2025, the NBA—through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL)—is seeking judicial interpretation of the policy’s legality.
The litigation is being championed by the SPIDEL Transition Committee led by Prof. Paul Ananaba, SAN, and its Public Interest Litigation Committee chaired by Mr. Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun, SAN.
The NBA said the action underscores its commitment to defending citizens’ rights and ensuring transparency in public policy.
