The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has vowed to challenge the Nigeria Police Force in court over its planned full enforcement of tinted glass permits from August 12, 2025, describing the directive as unconstitutional in its current form, economically punitive, and a recipe for widespread extortion.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, the association strongly criticised the police plan to penalise motorists whose vehicles have tinted windows, including those with factory-installed tints that come as standard from manufacturers abroad. HURIWA argued that the move disregards both the realities of modern vehicle manufacturing and the rights of law-abiding citizens who have legally imported their cars through Nigerian ports.

The association pointed out that the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Decree of 1991 does exist and regulates the use of tinted glass in vehicles, granting the “appropriate authority” the power to issue permits. However, HURIWA stressed that the law must be applied reasonably, proportionately, and in a way that does not punish innocent citizens who have complied with all lawful importation procedures.

According to HURIWA, once a vehicle is imported and the owner has paid all tariffs, duties, and statutory fees to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the police have no legitimate basis to compel the replacement of factory-fitted tinted glass or the acquisition of an additional permit. The association noted that the Customs clearance process already involves security vetting and revenue collection, often with police officers present at the ports, making it improper for the police to impose further financial or regulatory hurdles afterward.

HURIWA said it considers the move an indirect form of double jeopardy, where citizens are penalised twice for the same item — first by paying lawful import charges and then by being subjected to further payments and bureaucratic requirements by another agency. The association warned that such practices open the door to corruption and arbitrary enforcement by police officers.

The group said its over 10,000 members are ready to initiate a class action against the Nigeria Police Force and, if necessary, the Federal Government. HURIWA also called on all Nigerians whose vehicles have custom-made or factory-fitted tinted glass to join the legal action, pledging that the suit will be filed without delay.

“We are not even waiting for them to start. We will immediately proceed to court to stop the implementation of this illegal directive. Nigerians should also be prepared to adopt lawful civil disobedience to resist this brazen abuse of authority,” HURIWA declared.

HURIWA highlighted that virtually every modern car produced today has some level of tinting built into the glass at the factory. This is done for safety and comfort purposes — including reducing ultraviolet (UV) exposure and improving the efficiency of air conditioning systems — rather than to conceal criminal activity.

“The real focus of any responsible regulation should be on setting a clear, measurable standard for acceptable tint levels, not on blanketly targeting vehicles with factory-installed tints. This indiscriminate approach will only worsen the already entrenched problem of roadside extortion by security agents,” the statement read.

The association described as “absurd” the idea of requiring importers or new owners to replace tinted glass within 14 days of bringing in a vehicle. It argued that such a requirement is not only impractical but also potentially dangerous, as it could lead to the use of substandard, non-manufacturer-approved glass. This, HURIWA warned, could void warranties and compromise passenger safety.

“What exactly are motorists supposed to replace the glass with? Should they resort to roadside glass cutters to improvise replacements? Who thinks up such unrealistic policies without considering the technical and safety implications?” the group queried.

On the police’s claim that tinted glass enforcement will improve security, HURIWA was dismissive, arguing there is no empirical evidence that factory-fitted tinted glass is a major driver of crime. “The country’s serious security threats — terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry — are not caused by motorists driving vehicles with factory tints. Criminals can and do operate without tinted glass. This directive is therefore misdirected and will not improve public safety,” the statement said.

The group also condemned the timing of the enforcement, coming at a period when Nigerians are already burdened by high fuel prices following subsidy removal, increased electricity tariffs, and general economic hardship. It described the reported N16,000 fee for a tinted glass permit as “unconscionable” and insensitive to current realities.

“This is another way of squeezing citizens who can barely afford to fuel their vehicles, pay electricity bills, and feed their families. We cannot stand by while an enforcement policy like this adds to the people’s suffering,” HURIWA warned.

The association urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to instruct the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to suspend the planned enforcement and undertake a transparent review of how the tinted glass law should be applied in light of current automotive manufacturing standards.

“The Nigeria Police Force cannot continue to operate as a law unto itself. This is a democracy, not a banana republic. Nigerians have the right to own and drive vehicles legally cleared through customs without being subjected to arbitrary and extortionate demands. If this policy is not stopped, we will ensure it is struck down in court,” the association vowed.