The Federal High Court in Warri has ordered the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to suspend their ongoing enforcement of tinted glass permits for motorists.
The interim ruling was issued on Friday as proceedings began in Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025, filed by lawyer John Aikpokpo-Martins, who is challenging the legality of the renewed enforcement.
In its order, the court directed the police authorities to maintain the status quo and “respect judicial processes pending further hearings in the matter.”
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kunle Edun, who leads the petitioner’s legal team, described the decision as “a significant step towards upholding the rule of law while the court considers the substantive issues.”
The controversy began in April when the police resumed issuing tinted glass permits nationwide through the Police Specialised Services Automation Project, two years after the scheme was suspended. Motorists and rights groups have since condemned the policy, alleging it encourages harassment and extortion at checkpoints, especially for vehicles with factory-fitted tinted windows.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had initially set August 12 as the deadline for compliance but later shifted it to October 2. Defending the directive, police authorities cited the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act of 1991 and national security concerns.
Despite widespread criticism, the Delta State Police Command announced last week that full enforcement of the regulations would commence on October 2. The Command also vowed to enforce bans on unauthorised use of sirens, strobe lights, and obscured number plates, promising professionalism and zero tolerance for abuse.
The case will continue in court as debates over legality, constitutionality, and motorists’ rights unfold.
