The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly condemned the Nigeria Police Force’s decision to resume enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy, describing it as unlawful, unconstitutional, and a direct affront to the rule of law.

Speaking at a press conference, NBA President Afam Josiah Osigwe, SAN, criticized the police for acting in defiance of ongoing judicial proceedings and prior agreements with the association. He warned that the policy would exacerbate the hardships Nigerians face, especially during the festive season.

Osigwe noted that the policy, initially introduced in April 2025, was postponed to October 1 before being suspended following legal action by the NBA through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL).

“Because of our belief that this policy is unconstitutional and unlawful, the NBA went to court… resulting in a High Court order directing that the status quo be maintained,” he said.

Despite these ongoing legal proceedings, the police announced that the policy would resume on January 2, 2026. Osigwe described this as a blatant disregard for the judiciary, arguing that the police should await court rulings before enforcing such measures.

He also questioned the constitutional basis of the policy, noting that the National Assembly lacks the power to enact a law justifying it, and that the regulation issued by the police is ultra vires.

Osigwe further described the tinted glass permit as a revenue-generating scheme rather than a genuine security measure. He criticized the lack of transparency, alleging that payments were being made into private accounts instead of through the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

“The police are setting up their own officers and empowering them to extort money from civilians,” Osigwe said, warning that the policy could lead to harassment, intimidation, and abuse of citizens. He called the timing of the resumption “deliberate and insensitive,” given the economic struggles many Nigerians face during the festive season.

He also challenged the logic of the policy, asking why the same information could not be collected during routine vehicle documentation processes already managed by the police, customs, and licensing authorities.

Calling on Nigerians to resist the policy, Osigwe urged the police to respect the rule of law and allow the courts to determine the matter. He also appealed directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene.

“This does not portray the country in a good light and imposes unnecessary hardship on the people,” he said. “There are better ways to secure lives without disrupting citizens or imposing financial burdens during the festive season.”