The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has expressed outrage over the continued enforcement of tinted glass regulations by the Nigeria Police Force, describing the action as a blatant disregard for a subsisting court order. The legal body said the conduct of the police undermines the rule of law and threatens citizens’ fundamental rights.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the NBA criticized the police for embarking on nationwide clampdowns on motorists with tinted vehicle windows despite a Federal High Court judgment suspending the enforcement of the regulation pending proper legal framework. The association noted that the police’s decision to ignore the court’s directive amounted to “executive lawlessness” and an affront to judicial authority.
According to the NBA, the court had earlier ruled that the enforcement of the tint permit regulation should remain suspended until the police issue clear and transparent guidelines consistent with citizens’ right to privacy and freedom of movement. The association reminded the police that no agency or officer of government is above the law, stressing that obedience to court orders is a fundamental tenet of democracy.
NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to immediately halt all ongoing enforcement operations and ensure compliance with the court’s decision. He also called for the retraining of officers to prevent further human rights violations, adding that many Nigerians have suffered harassment, extortion, and intimidation under the guise of enforcing the tinted glass ban.
The association emphasized that the rule of law must remain the cornerstone of governance, warning that continued defiance of judicial orders could erode public confidence in the justice system. It stated that respect for court rulings is not optional but mandatory for all institutions, including law enforcement agencies.
Civil rights groups have also joined the NBA in condemning the police’s defiance, describing it as another example of the government’s disregard for the judiciary. They argued that such acts embolden security operatives to act with impunity and further alienate citizens from law enforcement authorities.
The NBA concluded by reaffirming its commitment to defending democracy, justice, and human rights, warning that it would take legal and institutional steps if the police failed to comply with the court’s order. The association urged the judiciary to assert its authority by ensuring that its rulings are obeyed without exception.
