NBA sues IGP Egbetokun over tinted glass permit policy

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun

Legal Showdown: Nigerian Bar Association Sues IGP Egbetokun Over Tinted Glass Permit Policy

In a bold move to challenge what it describes as an unconstitutional directive, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has filed a public interest lawsuit against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, over the reintroduction of the tinted glass permit policy. The suit, lodged at the Federal High Court in Abuja on September 2, 2025, is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/182/2025 and seeks to halt the enforcement of the policy pending judicial review.

The controversial policy, introduced in April 2025, mandates motorists to obtain annual permits for vehicles with tinted windows through a digital portal, possap.gov.ng. . Originally scheduled to take effect on June 1, the enforcement date was postponed to October 2 following widespread criticism.

The NBA, through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), argues that the directive infringes on citizens’ rights to dignity, privacy, freedom of movement, and property.

At the heart of the NBA’s challenge is the legality and transparency of the policy’s implementation. The association claims that the digital portal is managed by a private vendor, Parkway Projects, and that fees collected are being routed to a private account rather than the Federation Account or Treasury Single Account. This, the NBA contends, raises serious concerns about accountability and misuse of public funds.

The association also questions the legal foundation of the policy, which appears to rely on the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act, a military-era decree from 1991. The NBA argues that this law does not meet the constitutional standard of being “reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.” Furthermore, even before the policy’s enforcement, there have been reports of harassment and extortion by police officers at checkpoints, allegedly using the directive as a pretext.

Professor Paul Ananaba (SAN), Chairman of SPIDEL, emphasized that the NBA is committed to pursuing the case to its logical conclusion. He called on the Nigeria Police Force to suspend enforcement of the policy until the court delivers its judgment. The NBA’s action reflects a broader concern about the erosion of civil liberties and the need for legal scrutiny of executive policies that affect the daily lives of Nigerians.

As the case awaits assignment to a judge, the legal community and civil society are closely watching what could become a landmark ruling on the limits of police authority and the protection of constitutional rights in Nigeria.