A Federal High Court in Warri has barred the police from enforcing tinted glass permit rules pending a legal challenge.
The case questions the regulation’s legality, with critics calling it a tool for extortion and abuse.
The Federal High Court in Warri has ordered the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police to stop enforcing the controversial tinted glass permit regulation until ongoing legal proceedings are concluded.
The order was issued in Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025, filed by human rights lawyer John Aikpokpo-Martins against the police authorities. The matter was brought before the court on Thursday, where the judge directed all parties to maintain the status quo. This means the police must suspend enforcement actions linked to tinted vehicle glass until the case is fully heard and determined.
The case challenges the legality of the permit system that has caused widespread concern among motorists and civil rights groups across the country. Many Nigerians have complained that the regulation has been used as a tool for extortion and harassment by law enforcement officers.
Speaking after the ruling, senior advocate Kunle Edun, who led the legal team representing the applicant, described the decision as a positive step for justice. He noted that “the directive is a major step in ensuring that the rule of law is upheld while the substantive issues in the case are being determined.”
The ruling temporarily halts police powers on the matter and shifts the spotlight to the court, where arguments will focus on whether the tinted glass permit violates citizens’ rights under the constitution. The case is expected to set a major precedent for how security agencies apply vehicle regulations in Nigeria.
