The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has vowed to initiate contempt proceedings against the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, if he does not stop alleged undermining of the authority of Nigerian courts.

In a statement signed by Prof Paul Ananaba, Chairman of NBA-SPIDEL, and Olukunle O. Edun, Chairman of the NBA-SPIDEL Public Interest Litigation Committee, the association said it was aware of “a contemptuous press release” issued by Hundeyin, “presenting the Nigeria Police Force as obstinately proceeding with the enforcement of the policy despite the pendency in court of the suit challenging the legality of the same.”

It warned that “the action of Hundeyin inciting the enforcement of the policy which is sub judice is an egregious act of disregard to the majesty of the court,” adding that “the NBA will not hesitate to commence contempt/committal proceedings against CSP Benjamin Hundeyin if he fails to desist from clear utterances meant to downplay the authority of the court in the public domain.”

Turning to its member and Officer-in-Charge of the Directorate of Legal Services, AIG Ohiozoba O. Ehiede, the association urged the police chief and senior lawyer “to offer the proper legal guidance on this issue, which advice must be one that must guide the Nigeria Police Force to uphold the rule of law and not to tamper with the subject matter of the pending suit.”

It further warned that “NBA-SPIDEL will not hesitate to commence disciplinary proceedings against him before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) in the event that he encourages disrespect to the authority of the court by advising the police to proceed with the enforcement of the policy.”

The NBA noted that “having regard to this above position of the law as magisterially laid down by the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, it is very clear that the pendency of Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025 should automatically put a stop to the enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy pending the time when the court would arrive at a decision on the questions raised for determination in the originating summons, one way or the other.

“Consequently, we admonish your good office to allow the rule of law to prevail by halting any further attempt to enforce a policy whose legality is a subject for judicial determination.”