The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has filed a suit against the Nigeria Police Force over the controversial tinted glass permit policy introduced earlier this year by the Inspector-General of Police.

At its pre-conference National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on August 23 in Enugu, the NBA resolved to challenge the legality of the policy, which mandates motorists to obtain yearly permits for tinted vehicle glasses through a private vendor’s digital portal.

The policy, announced in April 2025, directed applicants to process permits via possap.gov.ng and pay stipulated fees. Enforcement, initially slated for June 1, was later postponed to October 2. However, despite the extension, motorists nationwide have continued to report harassment and extortion by police officers citing the policy.

Critics, including the NBA, argue that the directive violates constitutional rights to dignity, privacy, freedom of movement, and property. They further questioned its legal foundation, noting that it rests on the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act, a 1991 military decree, which they say cannot withstand constitutional scrutiny in a democratic society.

Financial transparency has also come under scrutiny. Payments for the permits are reportedly directed into a private account belonging to Parkway Projects, rather than the Federation Account or Treasury Single Account (TSA), raising accountability concerns.

In line with its NEC resolution, the NBA, through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), filed a suit on September 2 at the Federal High Court, Abuja, under Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/182/2025, with the Incorporated Trustees of the NBA as claimant and the Inspector-General of Police as defendant.

Confirming the development, Prof. Paul Ananaba, SAN, Chairman of NBA-SPIDEL, said the association would pursue the case to its logical conclusion. He also urged the police to suspend enforcement of the policy pending the court’s decision.

The case has not yet been assigned to a judge.