Court suspends police enforcement of tinted glass permit

-SPECIAL REPORT-

Federal High Court Suspends Police Enforcement of Tinted Glass Permit in Nigeria

In a landmark judicial intervention, the Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has issued an interim order suspending the enforcement of tinted glass permits by the Nigeria Police Force.

This ruling, delivered on Friday, October 3, 2025, marks a significant pause in a contentious policy that has drawn widespread criticism from legal experts, civil rights advocates, and motorists across the country.

The case, filed under Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025, was brought before the court by legal practitioner John Aikpokpo-Martins, who challenged the legality of the renewed enforcement of tinted glass permits. Represented by a legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Kunle Edun, the petitioner argued that the enforcement regime violated constitutional rights and amounted to an abuse of power.

The court, in its interim ruling, directed the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and the Nigeria Police Force to maintain the status quo and “respect judicial processes pending further proceedings in the matter”.

This judicial directive comes in the wake of the Nigeria Police Force’s decision to resume the issuance and enforcement of tinted glass permits nationwide through the Police Specialised Services Automation Project (POSSAP). The scheme, which had been suspended in 2022, was reactivated in April 2025, with the IGP initially setting a deadline of August 12 for compliance, later extended to October 2. The enforcement was met with public outcry, with many Nigerians decrying alleged harassment, extortion at checkpoints, and the impracticality of requiring permits for factory-fitted tinted windows.

The controversy intensified when the Delta State Police Command announced full enforcement of the regulations beginning October 2, 2025. In a statement, the Command emphasized professionalism and respect for constitutional rights, while also reiterating its commitment to enforce bans on unauthorized use of sirens, strobe lights, and defaced number plates.

However, the enforcement led to incidents such as the impoundment of vehicles, including that of Justice O. A. Ogunbowale of the National Industrial Court, which further fueled public discontent.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) also entered the fray, filing a separate suit against the IGP on September 5, 2025, and describing the policy as unlawful and a violation of fundamental rights. In a letter dated October 1, the NBA urged the police to halt enforcement, citing ongoing litigation and warning against lawlessness by a law enforcement agency. The Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, responded by defending the policy and accusing the NBA of attempting to tarnish the image of the police.

The court’s decision to suspend enforcement is seen by many as a victory for the rule of law and a necessary check on executive overreach. Legal analysts have praised the ruling as a step toward ensuring that policies affecting citizens are subjected to judicial scrutiny and constitutional safeguards.

 As the case proceeds, the nation watches closely, awaiting a final determination that could reshape the legal landscape surrounding vehicle regulations and civil liberties in Nigeria.