Court suspends enforcement of tinted glass permit

A Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, on Friday ordered the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to “maintain the status quo” in the contentious tinted glass permit dispute.

In the case with suit number, FHC/WR/CS/103/2025, filed by lawyer, John Aikpokpo-Martins against the IGP and the NPF, the court directed police authorities to respect judicial processes and refrain from further enforcement until the substantive matter is resolved.

The ruling comes as the police on Wednesday started tinted glass permit enforcement.

It was reported that in Asaba, Delta State, the police impounded the vehicle of Justice O. A. Ogunbowale of the National Industrial Court on the first day of tinted glass enforcement.

The NBA had described the move as “an embarrassing and avoidable situation” that starkly exposed the risk of abusing such policy.

The petitioner’s legal team lead, Kunle Edun, SAN, welcomed the court directive as a significant step toward upholding the rule of law while the court considers the broader constitutional issues.

The Nigeria’s “tinted glass” law comes from the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, CAP M21, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

But the law itself was first enacted in 1991 (under Decree No. 6 of 1991) during the military era of General Ibrahim Babangida. Later, when Nigerian laws were compiled and updated, it was incorporated into the 2004 edition of the Laws of the Federation.

Egbetokun-led police Force recently reactivated the permit  enforcement after earlier suspensions.

The move has drawn criticism for alleged harassment of motorists, demands for permit fees, and claims of extortion.