- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has charged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to halt the planned resumption of the tinted glass permit enforcement.
NPO Reported that the Nigerian Police Force had in a statement issued yesterday by its spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, declared the resumption of enforcement of the policy despite ongoing legal case over policy.
Hundeyin had cited the emerging security concerns as reason behind the return while noting that the court never restrained the police from enforcing laws on tinted vehicle glass at any point.
Reacting to the development in a statement issued on Tuesday by its President, Afam Osigwe, the NBA condemned the reinforcement of the policy which is billed to resume on the 2nd of January 2026.
Osigwe warned that the return of enforcement will represent an overreach and contemptuous disregard to the authority of the court and the rule of law.
“It is deeply disturbing that barely one working day after the Court relied on the undertaking of the Defendants’ counsel, a contradictory statement emerged from the Nigeria Police Force announcing a reactivation of enforcement.
“This volte-face represents a reckless overreach, a contemptuous disregard for the authority of the Court, and a serious assault on institutional integrity.
“It portrays the Nigerian Police Force as having scant regard for the rule of law and as a body insistent on imposing financial hardship on Nigerians for the financial gains of private business owners/interests.” The statement partly read.
While recalling the Federal High Court’s reservation of it ruling over the suit challenging the legality of the tinted glass permit policy, Osigwe charged Egbetokun to refrain from from any action capable of pre-empting or undermining the Court’s decision.
He urged the IGP to withdraw Hundeyin’s statement and halt any attempt to reactivate the enforcement.
“The NBA notes that Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025 has been fully heard and judgment reserved. The Inspector General of Police has a constitutional obligation to respect the judicial process and refrain from any action capable of pre-empting or undermining the Court’s decision.
“Accordingly, the Nigerian Bar Association calls on the Inspector General of Police to immediately withdraw the statement issued by CSP Benjamin Hundeyin and halt all attempts to reactivate enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy pending the final determination of all related court actions.” The NBA President wrote.
He further directed all branches of the association to Human Rights Committee under the NBA to prepare for legal representation of any Nigerian arrested over the tinted glass permit policy.
Osigwe threatened to initiate committal proceedings against Egbetokun if the Force proceeded with the reinforcement of the policy.
He also called on President Bola Tinubu to call the IGP and the Police Force to order, warning that the resumption of the enforcement will not only demean the court but impose unjustified financial hardship on the public.
“Furthermore, in defence of the rights of Nigerians, the NBA hereby directs all NBA Branches and the NBA Human Rights Committee to immediately intervene and provide legal representation to any Nigerian who is harassed, arrested, whose movement is impeded, whose vehicle is impounded, or who is prosecuted by the Police on account of the alleged violation of this unlawful tinted glass permit policy.
“The NBA will not allow citizens to be subjected to intimidation or abuse under a policy currently before 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 statement made in open court by Chief Ayotunde Ogunleye, SAN, constituted a judicial undertaking binding on the Defendants.
“Any contrary executive action amounts to overreaching the Court and undermines the rule of law, as firmly settled by the Supreme Court in Governor of Lagos State v. Ojukwu (1986) 1 NWLR (Pt. 18) 621.
“The Nigerian Bar Association sincerely hopes that the Nigeria Police Force will retrace its steps, respect the authority of the courts, and align its conduct with constitutional democracy and the rule of law.
“We also call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call the Inspector General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force to order, as 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 them.” The statement read further.