NBA Vows to Provide Free Legal Services to Nigerians Over Tinted Glass Permit Enforcement

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has announced its commitment to providing free legal services to individuals harassed by the police over the tinted glass permit policy. According to the NBA, this policy is “illegal” and lacks constitutional backing, making its enforcement both unlawful and a revenue-driven scheme.

The association argues that the police have no authority to impose fees or annual renewals on motorists. In a statement, Olukunle Edun, Chairman of the NBA’s Public Interest Litigation Committee, emphasized that the organization will invoke the court’s power to protect Nigerians’ rights. Any citizen facing harassment can reach out to the NBA’s 130 branches across Nigeria for pro bono services.

The NBA estimates that the police may generate at least N3 billion monthly from permit fees, effectively turning the police into a revenue-generating agency. This, the association argues, distracts from the police’s primary role in addressing crime.A suit challenging the policy’s legality and constitutionality is already pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The NBA has reminded the police to maintain the status quo until the court delivers its ruling.

The law cited by the police lacks clear guidelines for tinting, and many modern vehicles come with factory-installed tinted windows.
Senior police officers often use vehicles with heavily tinted windows without permits, raising questions about selective enforcement.
The policy could lead to extortion, as seen in the impounding of a National Industrial Court judge’s vehicle on the first day of enforcement.

The NBA’s move underscores the need for clarity and fairness in the enforcement of laws and regulations. By providing free legal services, the association aims to protect citizens from potential abuses of power .