By Charles Pemu 
Widespread outrage has greeted the nationwide commencement of the tinted glass permit enforcement by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) demanding that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, immediately halt the crackdown.
The first day of enforcement saw sad tales across the country, including the impounding of a judge’s vehicle in Delta State and over 100 cars seized in Cross River State alone. Police commands in northern cities like Maiduguri, Minna, and Sokoto also intensified the clampdown.
NBA Activates Free Legal Services and Warns of Contempt
In a letter to the IGP, the NBA reminded the Police leadership that the legality of the tinted glass permit policy is already pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1821, 2025). The association warned that proceeding with enforcement despite the pending suit is an act of contempt and a breach of the legal duty to maintain the status quo ante bellum.
“The Nigeria Police, as a law enforcement agency, should know better not to be lawless,” the NBA stated.
To counter the crackdown, the NBA, through the Chairman of its Special Public Interest Litigation Committee, Mr. Kunle Edun, SAN, announced that the human rights committees of all 130 branches of the association have been activated to offer free legal services (pro bono) to motorists harassed by the Police.
“We shall invoke the powers of the Court to ensure that the Nigeria Police Force does not trample on the rights of Nigerians,” Edun declared.
The NBA also threatened contempt proceedings against the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, and disciplinary action against the Officer-in-Charge of the Directorate of Legal Services if they encourage continued enforcement.
Motorists Lament Harassment and Difficult Process
Across the country, motorists expressed confusion and frustration.
- Confusion Over Factory Tint: Many car owners with factory-fitted tinted glasses were apprehended, with one confused motorist asking, “Do you want me to go and break these factory tinted glasses? I did not fix them myself.”
- Impounding and Prosecution: In Borno, police began full enforcement, warning that offenders would be arrested and prosecuted. Over 100 cars were impounded in Cross River State by midday.
- Cumbersome Process: Dr. Chizike Amakiri, a lecturer in Rivers State, reported that the online process for obtaining the permit was “cumbersome,” with the official sites often failing to open. He claimed he paid ₦35,000 to an officer for a permit that showed a receipt of only ₦14,000.
While some motorists supported the enforcement on security grounds, others condemned the police action as “chasing shadows,” arguing that police should focus on core security duties instead of turning the Force into a revenue-generating agency. The Coalition of South-East Youths (COSEYL) also asked the police to suspend the policy until the court delivers judgment on its constitutionality.