The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has issued a strong statement opposing the Nigeria Police Force’s enforcement of tinted glass permits, describing the practice as unconstitutional, illegal, and a blatant revenue-generation scheme.
Through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), the NBA announced on Thursday that it will provide free legal services to Nigerians who are harassed or extorted by the police under the guise of enforcing the controversial tinted glass policy.
The tinted glass permit saga has been a recurring issue in Nigeria for years. Initially introduced as a security measure, the policy required motorists to obtain approval from the police before installing or using factory-fitted or aftermarket tinted glasses.
The rationale given was that tinted glasses made it difficult for security operatives to identify suspects or prevent criminal activity. However, critics have long argued that the permit system was abused by police officers who used it as a tool for extortion at checkpoints.
In 2022, the Nigeria Police Force suspended the issuance of tinted glass permits following widespread complaints of abuse. Despite this, reports of enforcement, harassment, and demands for payment persisted in various states.
