Matilda Omonaiye/
A High Court of Delta State has restrained the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector General of Police from resuming nationwide enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy, dealing a legal setback to the police ahead of its planned restart in January 2026.
The ex parte order was granted on Wednesday, by Justice Joe Egwu, who barred the police from enforcing the policy or taking any action against motorists on the basis of tinted vehicle glass.
In the ruling, the court further restrained the police from harassing, arresting, detaining or extorting citizens and motorists in connection with the enforcement of tinted glass permits.
The order is to remain in force pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit before the court.
The case was filed by an applicant identified as Israel Joe, a resident of Delta State, who challenged the legality of the proposed resumption of enforcement.
He was represented by a legal team led by Kunle Edun, SAN.
The injunction effectively stops the police from implementing an earlier announcement in which the Nigeria Police said it would resume enforcement of the tinted glass permit regime from January 2, 2026, following what it described as a period of public sensitisation.
The tinted glass permit requirement is rooted in the Motor Vehicles Regulations and provisions of the Police Act, which empower the police to regulate the use of tinted glasses for security reasons.
Over the years, however, the policy has been controversial, with motorists and civil rights groups repeatedly accusing police officers of using enforcement as a pretext for extortion and harassment.
In 2021, the police suspended enforcement of the policy after public outcry, promising to introduce a more transparent and technology driven permit system.
Despite these assurances, concerns persisted among motorists that enforcement would again expose them to abuse at checkpoints.
The latest court order reflects growing judicial scrutiny of policing practices and adds to ongoing debates about the balance between security enforcement and the protection of citizens’ rights.
The police are yet to publicly respond to the Delta State High Court ruling as of the time of filing this report.
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