NBA sues IGP over controversial tinted-glass permit directive

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has taken the Inspector-General of Police (IGP),  Kayode Egbetokun, to the Federal High Court, challenging the legality of his tinted-glass permit directive.

The association, at its pre-conference National Executive Council meeting in Enugu on August 23, resolved to contest the policy, which it described as unconstitutional and an infringement on citizens’ rights.

Introduced in April 2025, the policy requires motorists to obtain an annual permit for tinted windows via a digital platform. Initially scheduled for enforcement on June 1, implementation was postponed until October 2.

In a statement on Thursday, the Chairman of NBA’s Section on Public Interest and Development Law, Prof. Paul Ananaba (SAN), faulted the policy’s transparency and accountability.

He said, “In April 2025, the Inspector General of Police purportedly introduced a policy which mandated members of the Nigerian motoring public to apply for and obtain annual motor tinted glass permits from the Nigeria Police Force for a fee.

“The Inspector General of Police in the same month purportedly launched a digital portal (possap.gov.ng) through which the application for tinted glass permits was to be processed.“We are being informed that the portal and the policy are to be managed by a private vendor, and there is no indication that the funds generated from the enforcement of the purported policy will go into the Federation Account.”

The NBA alleged that permit payments were being funneled into a private account belonging to Parkway Projects rather than the Treasury Single Account. It also raised concerns over reported cases of police officers harassing and extorting motorists in anticipation of enforcement.

The suit, filed on Wednesday, September 2, 2025, in Abuja, is titled: The Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association v. The Inspector General of Police & Anor (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/182/2025). The case has yet to be assigned to a judge.

The NBA argued that the policy violates constitutionally protected rights to dignity, privacy, movement, and property. It also questioned its reliance on the 1991 Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act, a military-era decree it says may not align with democratic standards.

Ananaba assured that the association would pursue the case to its logical end and urged the police to halt enforcement until the court decides.

The tinted-glass permit system was reintroduced by the police on May 1, 2025, after being suspended for years due to widespread complaints of extortion and abuse. While the police claim the platform will enhance transparency and national security, many motorists have described the N16,000 fee as unaffordable in the current economic climate.