NBA roars, Drags Police to Court over Tinted Glass Policy
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), has instituted a legal action against the Nigeria Police Force over the controversial tinted glass permit policy.
At a press briefing on Wednesday, Chairman of SPIDEL, Prof. Paul Ananaba (SAN), announced that the NBA had filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025), challenging the legal basis of the policy introduced by the Inspector General of Police in April 2025.
“The NBA, through SPIDEL, is committed to protecting the fundamental rights of Nigerians,” Prof. Ananaba stated. “The tinted glass permit policy raises serious concerns regarding citizens’ rights to privacy, freedom of movement, and ownership of property.”
The policy mandates vehicle owners with tinted windows to obtain annual permits via a digital portal — possap.gov.ng — operated by a private company. A fee is charged during the application process, but according to the NBA, there is no clear evidence that the funds collected are remitted into the Federation Account, as required by law.
Despite a deadline extension from June 1 to October 2, 2025, motorists have reported ongoing cases of police harassment and extortion at checkpoints across the country. Prof. Ananaba criticized the policy’s reliance on the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act of 1991 — a military-era legislation — arguing that it may not meet current constitutional standards, particularly under Section 45 of the 1999 Constitution.
Other issues highlighted by the NBA include the absence of any statutory provision for annual renewal, as well as concerns about transparency in the fee collection process. The NBA cited the use of a private account — PARKWAY PROJECTS Account No: 4001017918 — for payments as a serious red flag.
Prof. Ananaba reaffirmed NBA-SPIDEL’s commitment to pursuing the case to its logical conclusion under his leadership and that of the Public Interest Litigation Committee, chaired by Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun, SAN. He urged the police to suspend enforcement of the policy pending the court’s decision.
“The NBA is determined to ensure that Nigerians’ rights are not infringed upon by policies lacking statutory or constitutional backing,” he added.
