Femi Ashekun/
A brewing legal battle over the controversial enforcement of the tinted glass permit has taken a dramatic turn, with the Nigeria Police Force insisting it will proceed with nationwide enforcement from October 2, 2025, despite being served with court processes challenging the legality of the directive.
A viral message circulated on social media over the weekend claimed that the police had been served with originating summons contesting the constitutionality of mandatory tinted glass permits.
The notice, referencing sections of the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, suggested that enforcement was “by law and procedure, suspended” until the courts decide otherwise.
But the police swiftly debunked the claim. On Sunday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, dismissed suggestions that the lawsuit automatically halted enforcement.
“It has come to our notice that this is going round. Please do not be misinformed! Only an order of court can stop the enforcement of an existing law. There is no such order! Mere service of court papers is not equal to a court order. Kindly be guided. Enforcement of the Motor Vehicle Tinted Glass law commences as planned on Thursday, 2 October 2025,” Hundeyin posted on X.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, reinforced the position, warning motorists to comply.
“Dear people of Lagos, starting October 2, 2025, tinted glass permit enforcement begins. No valid permit? You may be stopped, be it factory fitted or not. Apply or verify at possap.gov.ng. Let us obey the law and stay safe,” she wrote.
The police insistence has triggered widespread criticism, especially from lawyers and rights advocates who argue that the Force is disregarding due process.
One lawyer, tweeting under the handle FeyiTheLaw, said, “Get your legal department to tell you the truth. The Police Force has produced a SAN, get his professional opinion as a lawyer, not as a policeman. Once a matter is filed in court, parties are expected to maintain status quo ante. Basic elementary law.
“The NBA SPIEDL has served the police with the court processes as well as a letter informing it of the pendency of the suit, but a whole PPRO is here grandstanding. Oga Ben, do better, sir. If a PPRO of the Nigeria Police is encouraging contempt of court, what message are you passing to the rank and file? O GA o…”
Another critic, vincennanyelugo, argued, “When a dispute is submitted to the Court for adjudication, the parties are expected to defer to the authority of the Court and maintain the status quo pending the final determination. Going ahead at this point is a slight on the Court.”
Similarly, haroldwrites2 posted, “It is a shame that a law enforcement officer doesn’t respect the law or know the law. Once you’re served with a court process, the law is that you are to maintain status quo and not do anything that would render a fait accompli on the court.”
Others questioned the wisdom of enforcement while litigation is ongoing. ACO_TheBrain wrote, “Why enforcement when d constitutionality of the order is being challenged? If later d court adjudicate that your order is unconstitutional, what happens to all those that you have arrested? The Police should be law abiding and suspend enforcement until conclusion of suit.”
Public concerns also reflect fear of extortion and abuse by officers on the road. “This is pure extortion and you have just given more room for rogue officers. If una kpai anybody over this tinted renewal matter, revolution go dey ooo,” warned one user, WinWith1k.
Beyond legality, users also raised practical issues with the permit process. bodmasengr shared, “I paid for this permit in May but wait endlessly to be scheduled for capturing. I sent a series of emails with no response, then suddenly realised that my application had been deleted from your portal after some months. Pls what is going on??”
Still, some commentators argued in support of the police position. Fikayomii_ noted, “The initiators of the suit know what to do if they want the enforcement of Motor vehicle tinted glass permit law to be suspended pending the determination of the suit. Service of court processes does not automatically suspend enforcement in the absence of a court order.”
With enforcement set to begin on October 2, all eyes are now on the courts to clarify whether the police can legally proceed or whether the move risks undermining the very law enforcement credibility the Force seeks to uphold.
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*BUA’S UNWARRANTED ATTACK ON DANGOTE INDUSTRIES LIMITED*