The Nigerian Bar Association has pledged to provide free legal aid to motorists harassed by police over the controversial tinted glass permit, which it describes as “illegal” and “unconstitutional”.
The association’s Section on Public Interest and Development Law says the police lack the authority to impose fees or renewals on motorists, calling the move a revenue-driven scheme.
The NBA’s suit, filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the NBA, seeks a declaration that the 1991 Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Decree is unconstitutional and inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution. It also asks for an injunction restraining police from further arrests, harassment, or extortion under the policy. “We shall invoke the powers of the court to ensure that the Nigeria Police Force does not trample on the rights of Nigerians,” NBA’s Public Interest Litigation Committee Chairman, Olukunle Edun (SAN), stated.
NBA lawyer Godspower Eroga alleged that the police planned to divert payments into a private account rather than the Treasury Single Account. He also noted that the cited decree lacks measurable standards for tint levels and is inconsistent with modern vehicle manufacturing trends, which often include factory-installed tinted windows.
The police have firmly rejected the NBA’s plea, insisting that only a direct court order can halt the operation. “Only an order of court can stop the enforcement of an existing law. Serving court papers is not the same as a court order,” a police spokesperson stated.
The enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy has already led to the impounding of a vehicle belonging to a National Industrial Court judge, Justice O. A. Ogunbowale. The NBA has expressed outrage over the incident and vowed to provide legal support to affected motorists.
The NBA emphasized that the matter is currently before the Federal High Court in Abuja and accused the police of being “lawless” by commencing enforcement. The association estimates that the police may generate at least N3 billion within a month from monies collected, thus turning the police into a revenue-generating agency of the Federal Government instead of focusing on more serious issues of crime.
