The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Nigerian Bar Association’s Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) have agreed to review the country’s tinted glass policy to better align it with public interest and national security priorities.
NBA-SPIDEL Chairman, Prof. Paul Ananaba (SAN), disclosed this yesterday in Lagos while briefing journalists on preparations for the association’s 2025 Conference.
Ananaba said the decision followed weeks of discussions between the NBA and senior police officials, prompted by widespread complaints of police harassment and indiscriminate arrests of motorists whose car windows were not completely transparent.
“Following our discussions with senior police officers, we agreed that enforcement of the tinted permit should be suspended while a joint review committee is constituted,” he said.
According to him, the committee will assess the legal and security dimensions of the policy and propose new guidelines for its implementation.
He clarified that SPIDEL’s engagement with the police was not adversarial but intended to foster accountability and fairness in law enforcement. “SPIDEL is not a body of activists; our focus is public interest and development,” he added.
Ananaba also announced that the 2025 SPIDEL Conference would hold in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, from December 1 to 5, with discussions centred on justice reforms, governance, and international cooperation in human rights advocacy.
In a related development, the Vance Centre for International Justice has proposed a partnership with NBA-SPIDEL to promote access to justice and strengthen pro bono legal services across Africa.
The centre’s Africa Initiative Director, Mrs. Adaobi Egboka, speaking at the same briefing, said the collaboration aims to establish a structured pro bono framework, build a database of participating law firms, and set standards for tracking legal aid contributions.
Egboka also called for a “Pro Bono Declaration for Africa,” urging law firms to commit to providing free legal services for vulnerable groups. Citing the success of Kenya’s Pro Bono Institute, she said the initiative would help the NBA develop a sustainable, data-driven system that enhances accountability and access to justice for underprivileged citizens.
