The Nigerian Bar Association has condemned the Nigeria Police Force’s tinted glass permit and the Electronic Central Motor Registry licensing policy, describing both measures as unconstitutional, oppressive, and tools for extortion.
The association made its position known in a communiqué issued at the end of its Pre-Conference National Executive Council meeting held on Saturday, at the International Conference Centre, Enugu.
It further directed its Section on Public Interest and Development Law to take urgent legal action against the ECMR licensing framework, which it also declared unconstitutional.
The communique, jointly signed by NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, and General Secretary, Mobolaji Ojibara, read partly, “NEC condemned the Nigerian Police tinted glass permit policy as unconstitutional, oppressive, and a tool for extortion, which will be challenged in court.
“NEC also condemned the Electronic Central Motor Registry licensing policy of the Police as unconstitutional and mandated SPIDEL to take urgent legal steps to protect citizens’ rights.”
The NEC, presided over by NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, also expressed concern over rising cases of brutality by security operatives.
It resolved that the association would henceforth pursue public interest litigation to secure remedies for victims of human rights abuses rather than relying solely on press statements.
The meeting also rejected the screening of applicants for the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria by the Department of State Services, describing the exercise as degrading and inconsistent with the standards of the legal profession.
“NEC vehemently rejected the DSS screening of Senior Advocate of Nigeria aspirants, describing it as degrading, extraneous, and inconsistent with Rule 23 of the Rules of Professional Conduct,” it added.
The lawyers stressed that the involvement of the DSS in the SAN conferment process undermined the dignity of the profession.
It therefore resolved to push for a comprehensive review of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee guidelines, insisting that reforms were necessary “to safeguard the dignity, independence, and integrity of the process.”
