The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has pledged to offer free legal assistance to Nigerians facing harassment from police regarding the controversial tinted glass permit, which they deem illegal. The NBA’s Section on Public Interest and Development Law argues that the police lack constitutional authority to impose fees or require annual renewals from motorists.
In a statement, Olukunle Edun (SAN), Chairman of the NBA’s Public Interest Litigation Committee, emphasized that the NBA will leverage the court’s powers to prevent the police from infringing upon citizens’ rights. He encouraged anyone subjected to harassment to reach out to NBA branches for support.
Edun noted that the police could potentially raise over N3 billion monthly from this scheme, effectively transforming the police into a revenue-generating entity instead of focusing on serious crime.
The NBA also highlighted that there is an ongoing court case challenging the legality of the tinted glass permit policy. They have urged the police to maintain the status quo until the court rules on the matter.
The lawsuit, filed by the NBA, argues that the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Decree 1991 is unconstitutional and that motorists cannot be forced to pay fees or renew permits. The NBA has accused the police of attempting to divert funds through a private account rather than remitting them to the Treasury Single Account.
Additionally, incidents have already occurred where police enforcement has led to the impounding of vehicles, including that of a judge from the National Industrial Court, raising concerns about the policy’s implementation.
The NBA reiterated that the police cannot impose what amounts to taxation without legislative backing and underscored that the police force should not operate as a revenue-generating agency.
