Our Reporter, Abuja
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has expressed concern over the Nigeria Police Force’s plan to resume enforcement of tinted glass regulations despite pending court cases challenging the policy.
In a statement by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, RULAAC warned that the move could undermine the rule of law and reopen the door to police abuse, extortion, and harassment of motorists. The group recalled that tinted glass enforcement had historically been marked by arbitrary roadblocks, profiling of young people and activists, and widespread extortion, contributing to public anger against the police.
RULAAC noted that the earlier suspension of enforcement was welcomed as part of efforts to rebuild trust following nationwide protests against police brutality. It said resuming enforcement before the courts resolve ongoing legal challenges sends a “dangerous signal” that judicial processes can be ignored.
The organisation cautioned that, without clear guidelines, transparency, and strict accountability, the policy could once again become a source of abuse, especially amid current economic hardship. It also warned that the move risks further damaging already fragile police–public relations.
RULAAC called on the police to suspend enforcement until all court cases are concluded, publicly clarify the law and permit process, and ensure strict sanctions against officers who engage in extortion or harassment. It also urged the police to prioritise serious security threats such as violent crime and banditry over what it described as “controversial, low-impact enforcement.”
The group appealed to civil society and the public to remain vigilant through advocacy, litigation, and documentation of abuses, stressing that democratic policing must protect rights while ensuring public safety.
