The Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has issued an interim order stopping the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) from enforcing the tinted glass permit law until further notice. The decision comes after weeks of public debate over the nationwide enforcement of the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, 2004.

The interim injunction, granted by Justice I. M. Sani, followed a motion filed by John Aikpokpo-Martins, a human rights lawyer and activist. The suit, marked FHC/WR/CS/103/2025, challenges what the lawyer described as an unlawful and unconstitutional move by the Police to resume the enforcement of the tinted glass permit without a valid regulation framework.

In his ruling, Justice Sani ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing of the substantive case. The court also directed that no Nigerian should be arrested, harassed, or prosecuted for failing to possess a tinted glass permit until the matter is determined.

Public Reaction and Police Response

Following the court order, lawyers and civil rights groups have welcomed the decision, saying it protects motorists from what they called “arbitrary enforcement.” They argued that the earlier permit system lacked transparency and was often abused by security officers during road checks.

However, Police spokesperson ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said the Force had yet to receive a certified copy of the order. He maintained that the tinted glass permit process was introduced for public safety and security reasons. The Police had reactivated the permit through the Police Specialized Services Automation Project (POSSAP) in April 2025, allowing motorists to apply digitally via possap.gov.ng. 

The legal challenge is expected to test the balance between citizens’ rights and security enforcement. Until the substantive case is heard, enforcement of the tinted glass permit remains suspended across the country.