THE RESUMPTION OF ENFORCEMENT OF THE POLICE UNLAWFUL TINTED GLASS PERMIT POLICY IS A GRAVE AFFRONT TO THE MAJESTY OF THE COURT AND A SUBVERSION OF THE RULE OF LAW
A press release dated 15th December 2025, issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, announcing the reactivation of the enforcement of the suspended tinted glass permit policy with effect from 2nd January 2026, has once again confirmed the sad reality that the Nigeria Police Force, despite being the foremost law enforcement agency in Nigeria, continues to exhibit a troubling disregard for the rule of law and the due process it is constitutionally mandated to uphold. The press release not only amounts to executive recklessness but also portrays the Nigeria Police Force and its leadership as lacking in respect for the court, the rule of law, and due process of law.
A recap of the events leading up to this moment will provide context for our position. In April 2025, the Inspector General of Police purportedly introduced a policy mandating that citizens annually obtain motor vehicle tinted glass permits through an online platform (possap.gov.ng), with enforcement initially scheduled to begin June 1, 2025, and later postponed to October 2. Reports of harassment, extortion, and civil rights violations, particularly against young people, became widespread.
On September 2, 2025, the Nigerian Bar Association, through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), instituted an action before the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025 between Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association v. Inspector General of Police & Anor, challenging the legality of the Tinted Glass Permit Policy. The suit questioned, among other things, the lack of constitutional or statutory authority vested in the Nigeria Police Force to levy fees or impose financial obligations on citizens under the guise of enforcing the policy. In challenging the legality and constitutionality of the policy because the NBA contends that the policy is unconstitutional, obnoxious, illegal, extortionate, and a threat to citizens’ rights and economic well-being, the NBA thus contends in the suit that:
a.The Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act of 1991, under which the policy is premised, is a military-era decree that no longer meets the democratic thresholds of justification under Section 45 and other relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution;
b.The National Assembly does not have the legislative competence to enact the law; therefore, the same cannot rightly be deemed a law properly made by the National Assembly.
c.The enforcement of the unlawful policy will initiate disorder and extortion, given the Nigeria Police’s long and sordid history of extortion, bribery, harassment, intimidation, and extra-judicial killings.
d.The policy is a brazen revenue-generating drive by the Nigeria Police Force, which by law is not a revenue-generating organisation. This is particularly worrisome as the fees are paid into the account of a private company.
e.The imposed levy for obtaining and renewal of the permit adds to Nigeria’s ever-increasing layers of taxation, thereby portraying Nigeria as a difficult place to do business. The levy imposed financial burden and hardship on Nigerians struggling with economic hardship.
f.The permit policy undermines Nigeria’s tax reforms, which will come into effect in January 2026, in that it will add to the multiplicity of taxes and taxing agencies in Nigeria, as well as the high corporate tax burden on businesses.
g.Nigeria imports cars from abroad, and modern vehicles come with factory-fitted tinted glasses, yet the Police discountenance this in the drive to generate revenue for themselves and a few individuals.
h.The payment proceeds into a private bank account (PARKWAY PROJECTS, Account No: 4001017918) instead of the Treasury Single Account raises serious concerns of transparency and corruption.
i.The policy brazenly nullifies already issued permits, and the purported requirement for renewal of the permits has no legal basis.
The court processes were duly served on the Defendants, including the Inspector General of Police, who briefed a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Ayotunde Ogunleye, SAN, to represent them in the suit. Meanwhile, on 3rd October 2025, the Federal High Court, Warri Division, issued an order directing parties to maintain the status quo in Suit No: FHC/WR/CS/103/2025 between John Aikpokpo-Martins v. Inspector General of Police, thereby restraining the Police from enforcing the policy pending the determination of a Motion for Interlocutory Injunction.
Following this order and the public outrage that trailed the attempted continuation of enforcement in clear disobedience to the court, the Inspector General of Police convened a meeting involving members of the Police Management Team, including the IGP, Deputy Inspectors General of Police, AIG Legal, their counsel Chief Ayotunde Ogunleye, SAN, and representatives of the NBA, including myself, Abdul Mohammed, SAN, Olukunle Edun, SAN, Paul Daudu, SAN, and Mr. John Aikpokpo-Martins, among others.
The NBA held a high-level engagement with the Inspector General of Police, where it was agreed that the enforcement of the policy will be immediately suspended to await the outcome of the matters in court and that the Police will direct its officers to cease and desist from further enforcement of the policy. The IGP subsequently suspended enforcement of the policy pending court pronouncement, as well ordered that police would cease the enforcement of the policy.
Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025 came up for hearing on Friday, 12th December 2025, before Hon. Justice M. S. Liman of the Federal High Court, Abuja. During proceedings, Chief Ayotunde Ogunleye, SAN, informed the Court of the agreement reached between the NBA and the IGP suspending enforcement of the policy. On the strength of that representation, which the Court accepted as a solemn assurance, the Motion for Interlocutory Injunction was struck out.
It is therefore 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 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.
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.
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU AT THE LAUNCH OF THE BIOGRAPHY OF THE LATE PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI IN ABUJA ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 15TH, 2025
PROTOCOLS
We are here to celebrate the late President Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) a leader who embodied quiet strength, discipline, and an enduring grace rooted in service. On this occasion of the launch of his biography, I extend the nation's warmest embrace to Her Excellency Aisha Buhari, her children, and grandchildren. May you find comfort in knowing that the prayers and gratitude of Nigeria are with you, and that the Buhari name will continue to inspire noble service for generations.
The measure of a leader is not simply the offices he held or the motorcades that accompanied him. It persists when the sirens fall silent. President Muhammadu Buhari left behind a reputation for integrity, a spartan lifestyle, and the belief that public office is a trust and not a windfall.
I stand here not just as President, but as a brother, friend, and political partner who shared a journey with President Buhari through challenging times. Together, we built a broad coalition, campaigned across the country, and proved that Nigeria could chart a new course. Our movement united diverse interests and achieved a historic victory in 2015 by unseating an incumbent president, thus reshaping Nigeria's political landscape.
The coalition we built in 2014 has become the fastest-growing political party in Africa today. Its growth continues.
This book, which we have presented, reinforces public memory. It outlines achievements and flaws, as all honest histories should. It should motivate future leaders to learn lessons rather than repeat slogans.
In that spirit, let us reflect on the enduring pillars of President Buhari's legacy:
First, humility. President Buhari preferred simplicity over ornamentation. He believed that a leader must first discipline himself before he can discipline a system. He lived modestly, and he carried the dignity of that modesty into power.
Second, security. President Buhari recognised that security is the foundation of citizenship and prosperity. He invested in platforms and personnel, improved capacities across our armed services, and pushed for reforms that endured beyond the headlines. He understood that safety requires protecting both the state and its citizens.
Third, vision. He understood the importance of long-term thinking—constructing bridges, restoring railways, building roads, modernising our airports, and renewing critical infrastructure —while prioritising maintenance and sustainability.
Fourth, social justice. He believed in targeted social investments to ensure that the state did not ignore the poor and vulnerable.
These are the pillars of his legacy. But a legacy becomes alive only when those who come after choose to continue what has been started. That is my duty. That is our collective duty, as a nation.
President Buhari loved this country consistently, morning after morning, decision after decision, staying true to the oath he took. That is why even those who disagreed with him often acknowledged his honesty.
Our political journey together taught me that cooperation across differences is not weakness; it is wisdom. Nation-building demands that we compete passionately and govern responsibly. President Buhari understood that the contest ends when the oath begins. In his memory, let us keep our politics honourable and our governance focused on results.
Nigeria is greater than any tribe, language, faith, or political party. This book reminds us that one life, lived with restraint and responsibility, can inspire a nation. True nation-building is the work not just of leaders but of the entire citizenry.
I thank the author of this book for enriching our collective memory, for collecting facts and testimonies, and for refusing to reduce a complex life to simple lines.
May this book reach widely, into classrooms, libraries, and the quiet desks of young Nigerians as they decide what kind of leaders they wish to become.
To my dear brother, President Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari): though you are no longer with us, your impact endures. We will honour and build upon your legacy—not just by invoking your name, but by delivering results with discipline, compassion, and resolve.
May Almighty Allah grant him mercy and Jannatul Firdaus, and bring comfort to his family. May He bless Nigeria with unity, wisdom, and peace. Nigeria will endure, prevail, and prosper through our efforts and God's grace.
Thank you, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
I thank the author of this book for enriching our collective memory, for collecting facts and testimonies, and for refusing to reduce a complex life to simple lines.
May this book reach widely, into classrooms, libraries, and the quiet desks of young Nigerians as they decide what kind of leaders they wish to become.
To my dear brother, President Muhammadu Buhari: though you are no longer with us, your impact endures. We will honour and build upon your legacy—not just by invoking your name, but by delivering results with discipline, compassion, and resolve.
May Almighty Allah grant him mercy and Jannatul Firdaus and bring comfort to his family. May He bless Nigeria with unity, wisdom, and peace. Nigeria will endure, prevail, and prosper through our efforts and God's grace.
Thank you, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The book From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, which officially presented to the public today at the President Villa, by President Bola Tinubu, has provided the answers to many long-standing questions that have shaped public discourse over the years. Among the critical issues the book addresses are:
1. What exactly was wrong with President Buhari during his illness in 2017–2018?
2. What were the internal intrigues behind the removal of Lawal Daura as DSS boss?
3. What role did the so-called “Cabal” play in shaping Buhari’s Presidency, and why did they clash with his family?
4. What was the Cabal’s plan for the APC presidential primaries before it was thwarted just hours before the event?
5. How was the Central Bank of Nigeria captured by entrenched interests?
6. Were there instances where Buhari’s signature was forged?
7. Were his office and private residence allegedly bugged?
8. Were presidential speeches altered or swapped without his consent?
9. What specific instructions did Buhari give during the EndSARS protests?
The book offers rare insights, firsthand accounts and documented perspectives that shed light on these questions and many more, providing a deeper understanding of the complexities, power struggles and defining moments of Muhammadu Buhari’s life and presidency.
President Tinubu at the launch of the book from Soldier to Statesman " The Legacy of Muhammad Buhari" at the Presidential Villa on Monday.
In one of the group photos, L-R Wife of the former president, Aisha Buhari; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; and his Wife,Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Author of the Book, Dr. Charles Omole and Gambia President, Adama Barrow,
nightsaint: This is now an established law. I pity the governors of States that will be controlled by opposition parties in the future. This APC government has completely ruined democratic governance in Nigeria.
Politics › Re: NBA Statement On Police Resumption Of Enforcement Of Tinted Glass Permit by naptu2(op): 1:08pm On Dec 16, 2025
