BY VIVIAN OKEJEME 

The Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has ordered the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police to suspend the enforcement of the controversial tinted glass permit.

The interim order, issued on Friday as proceedings began in Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025, directs the police to maintain the status quo and “respect judicial processes pending further proceedings in the matter.”

The case was filed by legal practitioner John Aikpokpo-Martins, who is challenging the legality of the permit enforcement. His counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kunle Edun, described the court’s directive as a vital safeguard for the rule of law while the substantive issues are being heard.

The dispute stems from the Nigeria Police Force’s April 2025 announcement that it had resumed issuing tinted glass permits nationwide through the Police Specialised Services Automation Project. The scheme, suspended in 2022, was revived under Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, who initially set an August 12 compliance deadline for motorists, later extended to October 2.

The resumption sparked public backlash, with motorists and rights groups alleging harassment, extortion at checkpoints, and unfair treatment of those with factory-fitted tinted windows. Civil society groups have also argued that the requirement is unconstitutional, while the police insist it is legal and grounded in the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act of 1991, citing national security concerns.

Just last week, the Delta State Police Command announced plans to fully enforce the regulation from October 2, promising professionalism, respect for rights, and zero tolerance for abuse. The Command also vowed to clamp down on unauthorised use of sirens, strobe lights, and tampering with number plates.

The Warri court’s ruling now places those enforcement plans on hold until the legal challenge is resolved.