The tinted glass issue

THE Nigerian Police Force’s (NPF) planned enforcement of the vehicle-tinted glass permit policy which many previously thought had been put in abeyance has been resurrected by the force and it is set to bring it into confrontation with members of the public, especially civil society organisations. The vehicle tinted glass permit policy was introduced in April 2025 but its implementation had to be postponed to June and later to October of the same year. And following reports of harassment, extortion and rights violations during the enforcement, the policy was supposedly suspended. However, the police have once again announced the commencement of the enforcement of the policy, effective from January 2, 2026. The policy was introduced in April 2025 as a reactivation of the same policy introduced by the military in 1991.  

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which had earlier sued the police over the tinted glass policy, has once again faulted the force over its decision to resume enforcement. The NBA raised concerns about respect for court authority and the rule of law because, according to it, there is a subsisting legal action challenging the policy which is still pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The NBA is of the view that the move suggests that due process and judicial oversight are being sidelined. It argues that resuming enforcement at this stage places the police in a position that is inconsistent with its constitutional limits and ongoing court proceedings.

The NBA had earlier filed a suit in a Federal High Court against the policy on the grounds that its enforcement is likely to fuel extortion and abuse, given past complaints of bribery, harassment, intimidation, and other misconducts linked to policing. The association also frowned on the NPF taking on the responsibility of a revenue-generating agency even though it is not authorised by law to generate revenue, particularly where payments are reportedly made to a private company. Again, it raised other concerns which can hardly be discounted. They include the additional financial burden on citizens already facing economic hardship, potential conflicts with Nigeria’s tax reforms set to take effect in January 2026, and the fact that most modern vehicles imported into Nigeria come with factory-fitted tinted glass. Interestingly, the order by the Federal High Court in respect of the suit filed by the NBA has now become a subject of multiple interpretations by the police and the association. The force says that no extant court judgement prohibits implementation of the policy, though it acknowledges that there is a court injunction directing the parties to the suit on the policy to maintain the status quo. On the other hand, since there is no evidence that the court order has been vacated, the NBA maintains that the matter is still before the court and that resumption of implementation constitutes an affront on the judicial authority and the rule of law.

While we appreciate the interest of the police in seeking to protect Nigerians, we believe there are ways the force can protect them without adding extra layers of suffering to citizens who are already contending with daunting socioeconomic challenges. For judging by the antecedents of the police, the implementation of the tinted glass permit policy is sure to open the floodgates of harassment, bribery and extortion of innocent citizens, with unscrupulous police personnel devising disingenuous ways to line their pockets. Why not take advantage of technology that is available to tackle crime? Besides, orders of court should not be trampled upon, otherwise anarchy and chaos may result. It is patently unlawful to announce the implementation of a policy whose propriety and legality are still a subject of litigation in a court of competent jurisdiction that has even issued an ex parte order on the matter.

The police and other security agencies should get down to brass tacks, especially at these trying times when insecurity continues to heighten across the land. There is a plethora of significant and serious security issues crying for attention. It is thus improper to devote disproportionate attention to a policy whose potential impact on curbing insecurity is at best minuscule. You cannot continue to major in the minor and hope to get the real job done. The truth is that Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), bandits and other criminal groups and elements are not inflicting maximum damage in tinted vehicles. Again, the police should be proactive in tackling crime, not seeking to become a revenue agency. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) once toed the same path of commercialization when it told Nigerians that new number plates would come with security features, but what did that achieve?

Nigerians are already going through financial trauma and it smacks of insensitivity to attempt to put additional burden on them under any guise. Already, and gladly so, a High Court in Delta State has reportedly given a ruling restraining the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the police from enforcing the vehicle-tinted glass permit policy. And the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benjamin Hundeyin, has assured that the force will review the court’s ruling with its legal advisers and abide by any lawful directive on the policy once it is properly served. The preponderance of opinion among stakeholders, which we also align with, is that the planned commencement of the enforcement of the tinted glass policy on January 2, 2025 is flawed and counterproductive on many grounds, besides being an avoidable distraction at a time of heightening security challenges. The NPF is, therefore, urged to obey valid court orders on the policy directing it to reconsider the plan.

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