Dare Babalola
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has warned it will initiate contempt proceedings against Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, over plans to revive the suspended tinted glass permit policy, calling it a defiance of a court order.
In a statement signed Tuesday by President Afam Osigwe, the NBA warned it will pursue contempt charges if the IGP ignores its “lawful admonition” to drop the plan, citing defiance of a court order.
The NBA also cautioned that any lawyer found to have misled the court would face professional disciplinary action.
The NBA was reacting to a press release dated December 15, 2025, signed by Hundeyin, announcing the reactivation of enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy effective January 2, 2026.
The association described the move as “a grave affront to the majesty of the court” and a subversion of the rule of law.
In April 2025, the IGP introduced a policy mandating annual tinted glass permits for motorists, with enforcement first set for June 1, 2025, and later pushed to October 2.
The association said the policy sparked widespread reports of “harassment, extortion, and civil rights violations, particularly against 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 criticised the policy, arguing that the 1991 Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act, a military-era law, falls short of democratic and constitutional standards. It claims the National Assembly lacked the power to enact it, rendering the policy 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.
NBA noted 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 the Supreme Court’s decision in Governor of Lagos State v. Ojukwu (1986) 1 NWLR (Pt. 18) 621, the association warned that 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.
“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.
