Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has taken the Nigeria Police Force to court over the controversial tinted glass permit policy introduced earlier this year by the Inspector-General of Police.
At its pre-conference National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on August 23 in Enugu, the NBA resolved to challenge the legality of the policy, which mandates motorists to obtain yearly permits for tinted vehicle glasses through a digital portal operated by a private vendor.
The policy, announced in April 2025, directed applicants to process permits via possap.gov.ng and pay stipulated fees, reports The Guardian.
While enforcement was originally scheduled to begin on June 1, 2025, it was later shifted to October 2. Despite the extension, reports of harassment and extortion of motorists by police officers citing the policy have continued across the country.
Critics, including the NBA, maintain that the directive violates citizens’ fundamental rights to dignity, privacy, freedom of movement, and property as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution.
The association further questioned the legal foundation of the initiative, noting that it relies on the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act, a 1991 military decree, which may not withstand the constitutional requirement of laws “reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.”
Concerns have also been raised over the financial structure of the scheme.
Payments for the permits are reportedly being directed into a private account belonging to Parkway Projects, rather than into the Federation Account or the Treasury Single Account (TSA), sparking questions about transparency and accountability.
In line with its NEC resolution, the NBA, through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The case, instituted on September 2 under Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/182/2025 lists the Incorporated Trustees of the NBA as claimant and the Inspector-General of Police as defendant.
Confirming the development, Prof. Paul Ananaba, SAN, Chairman of NBA-SPIDEL, said the association would pursue the litigation to its logical conclusion.
He urged the police to respect the judicial process and suspend enforcement of the policy pending the court’s decision.
The case has not yet been assigned to a judge.
