The Nigerian Bar Association has taken the police to court over the contentious tinted glass permit policy.
Lawyers argue it violates constitutional rights and raises transparency concerns, with enforcement now under legal challenge.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has filed a lawsuit against the Nigeria Police Force over the controversial tinted glass permit policy introduced earlier this year by the Inspector-General of Police.
Chairman of the NBA’s Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), Prof. Paul Ananaba (SAN), has affirmed that the case will be taken through to its rightful conclusion.
He urged the police to respect the judicial process and suspend enforcement of the policy until the court reaches a decision.
The suit, filed on September 2, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Abuja under Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/182/2025 has the Incorporated Trustees of the NBA as claimant and the Inspector-General of Police as defendant. The case has not yet been assigned to a judge.
The legal proceedings stem from a resolution approved at the NBA’s National Executive Council (NEC) pre-conference meeting held on August 23 in Enugu. During this meeting, members voted in favor of contesting the legitimacy of the permit system.
Under the policy, announced in April, motorists are required to apply for annual permits via a digital portal operated by a private vendor and pay prescribed fees.
Enforcement was initially scheduled to begin on June 1 but was later shifted to October 2. Despite the extension, motorists nationwide have reported widespread cases of harassment and extortion by police officers referencing the policy.
Critics, including the NBA, argue that the directive infringes on constitutional rights to dignity, privacy, freedom of movement, and property as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.
The Association further questioned the validity of the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act, a decree enacted under military rule in 1991, suggesting it may not meet democratic standards of being “reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.”
The financial structure of the scheme has also come under scrutiny. Reports indicate that payments for permits are directed to a private account belonging to Parkway Projects, the vendor managing the portal, rather than to the government’s Federation Account or Treasury Single Account.
This arrangement has raised concerns over transparency, accountability, and possible revenue leakages. Observers note that the outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for how regulatory frameworks balance security needs with constitutional rights in Nigeria.
