NBA THREATENS CONTEMPT ACTION AGAINST IG TINTED GLASS POLICY
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BY JENN NOMAMIUKOR
The Nigerian Bar Association has warned it will take legal steps against the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, over the planned restart of the suspended motor vehicle tinted glass permit policy.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by NBA President Afam Osigwe, the association said it will start contempt proceedings if the IGP does not follow what it called a “lawful warning” to stop the policy.
It also said it will take professional disciplinary action against any lawyer found to have misled the court.
The NBA responded to a press release dated December 15, 2025, signed by Hundeyin, which announced the resumption of enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy starting January 2, 2026.
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The group called the action “a serious insult to the court‘s dignity” and a challenge to the rule of law.
They mentioned that in April 2025, the IGP started a rule that asked drivers to get yearly permits for tinted windows through an online system.
The plan to start checking for this was first set for June 1, 2025, but then moved to October 2.
The group said this rule led to many reports of “harassment, bribery, and breaking civil rights, especially affecting young people.”
“On September 2, 2025, the Nigerian Bar Association, through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), instituted an action before the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025, between Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association v. Inspector General of Police & Anor, challenging the legality of the Tinted Glass Permit Policy,” the statement read.
The NBA argued that the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act of 1991, under which the policy is premised, is a military-era law that does not meet democratic and constitutional standards, that the National Assembly lacks legislative competence to enact it, and that the policy is 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 policy is a brazen revenue-generating drive by the Nigeria Police Force, which by law is not a revenue-generating organisation.
“This is particularly worrisome as the fees are paid into the account of a private company,” it argued.
It said that “the court procedures were properly given to the Defendants, including the Inspector General of Police, who informed a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Ayotunde Ogunleye, SAN, to act on their behalf in the case.”
“Meanwhile, on 3rd October 2025, the Federal High Court, Warri Division, issued an order directing parties to maintain the status quo in Suit No: FHC/WR/CS/103/2025 between John Aikpokpo-Martins v. Inspector General of Police, thereby restraining the Police from enforcing the policy pending the determination of a Motion for Interlocutory Injunction.”
According to the NBA, the IGP stopped enforcing the policy after talking with the NBA and agreeing to follow the court‘s orders.
Osigwe said that the NBA-SPIDEL’s request for an urgent court order was dismissed on December 12, 2025, because the IGP promised to follow the court‘s directions.
He said the Police’s decision to start enforcement again just one day later was “reckless overreach” and showed “contempt for the court‘s authority.”
He asked the IGP to take back their statement and stop enforcing the policy until the court has made its final decision.
The NBA also told its local groups and the Human Rights Committee to help anyone in Nigeria who was harassed, arrested, or punished because of the policy.
They cited a Supreme Court case from 1986, Governor of Lagos State v. Ojukwu, to say that ignoring court orders harms 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.
“Should the Inspector General of Police fail or refuse to heed this lawful admonition, the Nigerian Bar Association will commence committal proceedings against the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, until they purge themselves of contempt.
“Appropriate professional proceedings will also be initiated against any counsel found to have misled the Court,” the lawyer association warned.
It further called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, stating, “The planned resumption of the policy will not only amount to a slap on the face of the court but also impose unjustified financial hardship on Nigerians.”
On its part, the NPF justified the resumption of the policy, citing escalating security threats, including armed robbery and kidnapping linked to unauthorised tinted vehicles.
CSP Hundeyin clarified that the earlier suspension was voluntary and not court-mandated, and that the policy is intended to protect lives and property.
The force urged motorists to comply by obtaining permits through approved channels, denying any legal restraint on enforcement.
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