The Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA), has filed a lawsuit against the Nigeria Police Force over the reintroduction of the tinted glass permit, a policy that had previously been suspended because of widespread abuse by police officers.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, first announced the policy’s return in April 2025, setting June 1 as the start date.
The take-off was later postponed to October 1, with motorists expected to pay N16,000 for the permit.
The Force said applications would be processed through a digital portal, possap.gov.ng, to be managed by a private vendor.
But the NBA, through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), insists the move is unconstitutional and open to abuse.
Confirming the legal action, SPIDEL chairman, Prof. Paul Ananaba (SAN), said the association had filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja on September 2, 2025, asking the court to halt the policy
The suit, titled “The Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association v. The Inspector General of Police & Anor (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/182/2025),” has not yet been assigned to a judge.
In its filings, the NBA argued that enforcement of the policy violates fundamental rights to dignity, privacy, freedom of movement and property.
It also faulted the legal basis for the directive, saying it rests on the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act of 1991, a military-era decree that may not stand in a democratic setting.
The NBA further raised concerns about accountability. It alleged that payments for the permits are being routed into a private account operated by Parkway Projects rather than into the Federation Account or Treasury Single Account, in breach of the constitution.
Although enforcement has not officially started, the association said there have already been reports of motorists being harassed and extorted by police officers at checkpoints under the guise of the policy.
Ananaba urged the police to respect the judicial process by suspending implementation of the permit until the court rules on the matter, stressing that the NBA will pursue the case to its logical conclusion.
