The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has raised serious concerns over allegations of irregular and biased promotion practices within the Nigeria Police Force under Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun, insisting that promotions must strictly adhere to merit and established procedures to preserve professionalism, discipline, and public confidence in the institution.
The council also directed all NBA branches nationwide, along with its Human Rights Committee, to provide legal support to citizens affected by the enforcement of the motor vehicle tinted glass permit policy. The Association disclosed that it has already challenged the legality of the policy before the Federal High Court in Abuja, arguing that it lacks statutory backing, amounts to unlawful revenue generation, and imposes undue hardship on Nigerians. Following engagement with the Inspector-General of Police, enforcement of the policy was suspended pending the court’s determination.
NEC, however, issued a stern warning against the disobedience of court orders, stressing that judicial decisions are binding on all authorities and that any executive action taken in defiance of such orders undermines the rule of law, as consistently upheld by the Supreme Court. The council resolved to initiate committal proceedings against any police officer who disregards court directives.
On proposed criminal justice reforms, the NBA expressed concern over a bill seeking to redefine terrorism by removing ideological, political, or religious elements and expanding mandatory death penalties to kidnapping-related offences. NEC noted that kidnapping is already criminalized under federal and state laws and cautioned that mandatory death sentences for ancillary offences violate principles of proportionality and sound criminal jurisprudence. It recommended restricting terrorism classification to organized criminal networks with coercive intent, replacing mandatory death penalties with discretionary sentencing, introducing clear statutory defences, and harmonizing federal and state criminal laws to avoid duplication and inconsistencies.
The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued at the conclusion of NEC’s statutory quarterly meeting held on February 5, 2026, at the Muhammed Indimi International Conference Centre in Maiduguri, Borno State. Reaffirming its commitment to constitutional governance and accountability, the council declared that executive agencies must operate strictly within the bounds of the law and pledged to remain principled, proactive, and firm in defending legality and fundamental rights. The communiqué was jointly signed by NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, and the General Secretary, Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara.
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