Court Blocks Police from Enforcing Tinted Glass Permit Policy Nationwide

A Delta State High Court sitting in Orerokpe has granted an interim injunction restraining the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Delta State Commissioner of Police from resuming enforcement of the controversial tinted glass permit policy across the Country.

The order, delivered on Wednesday, 17 December 2025, comes amid escalating legal and public opposition to the policy.

Justice Joe Egwu, in the ex-parte ruling, granted all the reliefs sought by Mr. Israel Joe, the applicant in a suit marked HOR/FHR/M/31/2025, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application.

The court specifically restrained the Police and their Officers, Agents, Privies and Contractors from implementing, enforcing or further implementing the tinted glass permit policy, which authorities had announced would resume on 2 January 2026.

The injunction goes further by prohibiting the Police from stopping, intimidating, arresting, detaining, extorting or otherwise interfering with motorists and other citizens under the guise of enforcing the policy while the case is before the court.

Justice Egwu also barred the respondents from using the Parkway Projects Account, described in court as a private contractor’s account, for any Government business until the substantive suit is heard and determined.

Mr. Joe was represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Kunle Edun alongside other legal practitioners, who argued that enforcement of the policy would constitute an unlawful infringement on the rights of Nigerians.

A copy of the court order was shared publicly by Lagos-based rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong.

The tinted glass permit policy, introduced earlier this year by the Nigeria Police Force, requires vehicle owners to obtain annual permits for tinted windows via an online portal.

It has been met with sustained criticism from civil society groups, legal practitioners and motorists who argue it lacks clear legal backing and enables harassment and extortion at Police checkpoints.

The Delta court’s order will remain in effect until the substantive suit is finally heard and determined.

Enforcement plans set for early January have now been effectively stalled by the ruling, underscoring the legal challenges facing the policy.