The Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, on Friday ordered the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police to suspend the enforcement of the tinted glass permit by vehicle owners.
The court asked the police and the IGP to maintain the status quo and “respect judicial processes pending further proceedings in the matter.”
The court issued the interim order as hearing opened in Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025, instituted by legal practitioner John Aikpokpo-Martins against the Inspector-General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force.
The lawyer, John Aikpokpo-Martins, approached the court to challenge the legality of the new tinted permit enforcement.
In the interim order, the Court directed the police authorities to “respect judicial processes pending further proceedings in the matter.”
Senior Advocate Kunle Edun, SAN, who led the legal team for the petitioner, confirmed the development to journalists and noted that “the directive is a major step in ensuring that the rule of law is upheld while the substantive issues in the case are being determined.”
PUNCH Online reports that in April, the Nigeria Police Force announced it had resumed the issuance of tinted glass permits nationwide through the Police Specialised Services Automation Project, after suspending the scheme in 2022.
The move reignited public criticism, with motorists raising concerns about harassment, extortion at checkpoints, and the fairness of demanding permits for factory-fitted tinted windows.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, initially set an August 12 deadline for motorists to obtain the permits, but later extended it to October 2.
The Police defended the policy as lawful, citing the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act of 1991 and national security concerns. Rights groups, however, argued that the policy is unconstitutional and amounts to exploitation of vehicle owners.
Last week, Tuesday, the Delta State Police Command announced that it would begin full enforcement of the regulations on tinted vehicle glass across the state effective Thursday, October 2, 2025, “in line with extant federal laws and directives.”
The Command noted in a statement that “the statewide operation will be conducted with professionalism, respect for constitutional rights, and zero tolerance for abuse.”
It also reiterated its commitment to strictly enforce the subsisting ban on the unauthorised use of sirens and revolving/strobe lights, as well as the covering, defacing, or obstruction of number plates by private individuals and non-entitled officials.
Consequently, the Command urged drivers to “carry their essential vehicle documents, including driver’s licence, insurance, and proof of ownership, and to cooperate courteously with officers during lawful stop-and-search procedures.”
(Punch)
