By John Umeh
The Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has directed the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to immediately suspend the enforcement of tinted glass permits for vehicle owners across the country.
In an interim ruling on Friday, the court ordered both parties to maintain the status quo and “respect judicial processes pending further proceedings in the matter.” The order came as hearing opened in Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025, filed by legal practitioner John Aikpokpo-Martins, challenging the legality of the new tinted glass permit enforcement drive.
Speaking with journalists, Senior Advocate Kunle Edun (SAN), who leads the legal team for the petitioner, described the directive as a major win for the rule of law. “This is a significant step toward ensuring that motorists are not unfairly targeted while the substantive issues are being determined,” he said.
The Nigeria Police had resumed issuance of tinted glass permits in April 2025 under the Police Specialised Services Automation Project, after suspending the scheme in 2022. Initially, IGP Kayode Egbetokun set an August 12 deadline for motorists to obtain the permits but later extended it to October 2.
The policy has reignited public criticism, with rights groups alleging harassment and extortion at checkpoints and questioning the fairness of demanding permits for factory-fitted tinted windows. While the police defend the measure under the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act of 1991 as a national security necessity, opponents argue it violates constitutional rights.
Despite the interim order, the Delta State Police Command announced on Thursday that it had impounded 25 vehicles in Asaba for non-compliance with the tinted glass permit regulation. In a post on its official X account, the Command urged motorists to regularize their permits through the @POSSAP_NGG platform or risk further sanctions.
The case will continue at the Federal High Court as legal arguments over the constitutionality and enforcement of tinted glass permits proceed.
