The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has filed a lawsuit against the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, challenging the legality of the Nigeria Police Force’s tinted glass permit policy, describing it as unconstitutional and a violation of citizens’ rights.
In April 2025, the IGP introduced a policy mandating Nigerians to apply for an annual permit to use motor vehicles with tinted windows. A dedicated online platform was launched to facilitate the application process, which required a fee.
However, during its pre-conference National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on August 23, 2025, the NBA resolved to challenge the legality of the policy, citing concerns over its legal basis and implications on civil liberties.
In a statement released on Friday, the NBA described the policy as “a violation of the rights of citizens” and questioned its legitimacy under the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act (Decree 1991), a military-era law the police has relied on to justify the initiative.
“Against this backdrop, the Nigerian Bar Association, through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), has instituted a public interest action at the Federal High Court, Abuja,” the statement read.
The suit, filed on Wednesday, September 2, 2025, is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/182/2025 and is between The Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association and The Inspector General of Police & Another.
The NBA said the legal action was initiated under the leadership of SPIDEL Transition Committee Chairman, Paul Ananaba, SAN, and the Section’s Public Interest Litigation Committee chaired by Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun, SAN.
“The NBA-SPIDEL has been directed to pursue this litigation to its logical conclusion,” the association added.
