NBA Threatens IGP, FPRO With Contempt Suit Over Planned Tinted Glass Enforcement

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has threatened to initiate contempt proceedings against the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, over plans to resume enforcement of the suspended motor vehicle tinted glass permit policy.

In a statement signed on Tuesday, NBA President Afam Osigwe said the association would commence contempt proceedings if the police boss fails or refuses to heed “lawful admonition” to halt the policy.

NBA also warned that appropriate professional disciplinary action would be taken against any counsel found to have misled the court.

The reaction followed a statement on Monday by Hundeyin, in which the police announced the resumption of enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy on January 2, 2026.

RELATED: Police To Resume Enforcement Of Tinted Glass Permit January 2

Describing the move as “a grave affront to the majesty of the court” and a subversion of the rule of law, the NBA recalled that the IGP had, in April 2025, introduced a policy requiring motorists to obtain annual tinted glass permits through an online platform.

The enforcement, which was initially slated for June 1, 2025, was later postponed to October 2.

According to the NBA, the policy triggered widespread reports of harassment, extortion and civil rights violations, particularly against young people.

The association stated that on September 2, 2025, through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), it initiated an action before the Federal High Court, Abuja, in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025 to challenge the legality of the policy.

The body argued that the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act of 1991, upon which the policy is based, is a military-era law that fails to meet democratic and constitutional standards, submitting that the policy was unconstitutional, illegal, and extortionate.

“The enforcement of the unlawful policy will initiate disorder and extortion, given the Nigeria Police’s long and sordid history of extortion, bribery, harassment, intimidation and extra-judicial killings,” the NBA noted.

The association further alleged that the policy constitutes a brazen revenue-generating drive by the Nigeria Police Force, which is not a revenue-generating agency, noting that the fees were reportedly deposited into the account of a private company.

It added that a statement made in open court by its counsel, Chief Ayotunde Ogunleye (SAN), constituted a judicial undertaking binding on the defendants, warning that any contrary executive action would amount to overreaching the court. Citing Governor of Lagos State v. Ojukwu (1986) 1 NWLR (Pt. 18) 621, the NBA said disregard for court orders undermines constitutional democracy and the rule of law.

“It is our sincere hope that the Nigeria Police Force will retrace its steps and respect the authority of the courts,” the association said.

The NBA also called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, saying the planned resumption of the policy would impose unjustified financial hardship on Nigerians and amount to a slap in the face of the court.

On its part, the Nigerian Police justified the planned resumption, citing escalating security threats, including armed robbery and kidnapping linked to unauthorised tinted vehicles.

Hundeyin said the earlier suspension was voluntary and not court-mandated, insisting that the policy aimed at protecting lives and property, and urged motorists to obtain permits through approved channels while also denying any legal restraint on enforcement.