In a significant legal development with far-reaching implications for motorists across Nigeria, a Delta State High Court sitting in Orerokpe has issued an interim injunction restraining the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) from enforcing the controversial tinted glass permit policy nationwide.
The order, delivered on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, by Justice Joe Egwu, came in response to an ex parte application filed by rights activist Mr. Israel Joe challenging the legality and enforcement framework of the policy set to take effect on January 2, 2026.
The interim injunction prohibits the police, their agents, and contractors from implementing or enforcing the tinted glass permit regime anywhere in the country until the substantive suit is determined. The court also expressly barred officers from stopping, arresting, harassing, detaining, extorting, or otherwise interfering with motorists under the guise of enforcing the policy.
Justice Egwu also restrained the use of a private contractor’s bank account — identified as Parkway Projects — for any government transactions related to the policy pending further hearing.
The motion on notice in the suit marked HOR/FHR/M/31/2025 has been adjourned for hearing on December 24, 2025.
The tinted glass permit policy, introduced earlier this year by the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of IGP Kayode Egbetokun, mandates that vehicle owners obtain annual permits for vehicle window tints through an online portal. The policy has been deeply divisive and criticized by civil rights advocates, lawyers, and motorists who argue it enables harassment and extortion and infringes on constitutional rights such as dignity, privacy, and freedom of movement.
Legal challenges to the policy are not limited to this case. In October, a separate Federal High Court in Warri also ordered a suspension of enforcement in another suit, reinforcing the ongoing judicial scrutiny of the policy’s legality.
Human rights campaigners have welcomed the Delta court’s ruling as a victory for civil liberties, calling on the police leadership to respect and comply fully with judicial orders. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has also repeatedly warned that any attempt to resume enforcement while litigation is ongoing could amount to contempt of court.
The Nigeria Police Force has maintained that it will comply with valid court orders, although it previously indicated enforcement plans citing security concerns. However, the latest injunction effectively halts those plans until the courts deliver further judgment.
Until the substantive legal challenge is resolved, the tinted glass permit policy cannot be enforced. Vehicle owners, it is expected, will continue to monitor court proceedings and comply with any lawful requirements once clarified by final judicial rulings.
