The Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, has restrained the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police from enforcing their recently reintroduced tinted glass permit regime.
The interim order, issued Friday in Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025, followed a challenge filed by legal practitioner John Aikpokpo-Martins, who questioned the legality and constitutionality of the enforcement.
Justice’s directive requires the police to maintain the status quo and respect judicial processes until the substantive issues in the suit are determined.
Confirming the ruling, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kunle Edun, who led the petitioner’s legal team, described it as “a crucial step in ensuring the rule of law is not subverted by executive action.”
The Nigeria Police had in April announced the resumption of tinted glass permits through the Police Specialised Services Automation Project, two years after suspending the scheme. Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, initially gave motorists until August 12 to regularise their permits, later extending the deadline to October 2.
Authorities defend the regulation under the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act of 1991, citing national security imperatives. However, civil society organisations and rights advocates argue the enforcement is unconstitutional and serves mainly as a revenue-generation and extortion tool, especially against owners of vehicles with factory-fitted tinted windows.
The Delta State Police Command had only last week announced that full enforcement of the directive would commence across the state. The Command said the exercise would be carried out “professionally and with zero tolerance for abuse,” alongside crackdowns on unauthorised sirens, revolving lights, and obscured number plates.
The ruling is expected to put enforcement on hold nationwide, at least temporarily, and reignite broader debates on the balance between security policy, citizens’ rights, and the persistent challenge of predatory policing practices in Nigeria.