NBA Declares Tinted Glass Permit Illegal, Offers Free Legal Aid

By Ademola Adekusibe
October 3, 2025

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has declared the police tinted-glass permit illegal and vowed to provide free legal assistance to Nigerians harassed over its enforcement.

In a suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/182/2025, the NBA, through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), is challenging the legality of the policy introduced by the Inspector-General of Police.

The association argued that the permit scheme violates citizens’ rights to dignity, privacy, movement, and property as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution. It also noted that the policy is based on the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act of 1991, a military decree, which may not meet constitutional standards of being “reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.”

The NBA further faulted the transparency of the scheme, alleging that payments for the permit were being directed to a private account instead of the Federation Account or Treasury Single Account.

NBA President Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), through a resolution of the association’s National Executive Council, urged the police to suspend enforcement until the court decides the matter. He warned that continued enforcement could undermine the authority of the judiciary and subject Nigerians to undue hardship.

The police, however, maintain that there is no court order stopping the enforcement and insist the policy has legal backing under the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act and the Police Act. According to Force Headquarters, enforcement is scheduled to commence on October 2 as part of efforts to curb kidnapping, terrorism, and “one-chance” crimes.

The case is still before the court.