The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has placed the nationwide enforcement of its tinted glass permit regime on hold after being served with an interim court order. The move suspends an enforcement date originally scheduled for 2 January 2026 while the substantive legal challenge proceeds.
Tinted glass permit policy Nigeria halted by court order
The pause follows an ex parte injunction granted in December 2025 by the Delta State High Court. The suit, instituted by Israel Joe, names the inspector-general of police, the NPF and the Delta state police commissioner as defendants. The court restrained the police from commencing enforcement of the permit scheme pending further hearing and determination.
Benjamin Hundeyin, the Force spokesperson, said the NPF had been served with the interim order and had formally entered an appearance in the matter. The police have also filed preliminary objections and applied for the vacation of the interim order. The case has been adjourned to 20 January 2026 for further proceedings.
“In line with constitutional obligations and respect for judicial authority, the Nigeria Police Force has entered an appearance in the matter, raised preliminary objections, and formally applied for the vacation of the interim order,” Hundeyin said in a statement. He added that, accordingly and strictly in compliance with the subsisting court order, enforcement had been paused nationwide.
The tinted glass permit policy was re-announced by police in December 2024, with a stated resumption date of 2 January 2026. Authorities cited a rise in vehicle-related crimes as a rationale for tighter controls on the use of darkened vehicle glass. The policy requires motorists to obtain permits authorising certain levels of window tinting.
The announcement reignited a public debate and a legal challenge. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) accused the police of intending to flout judicial restraint, describing an earlier police notice as a display of executive recklessness and a disregard for due process. The police countered that no court had declared the policy unlawful or issued a permanent bar on the Force from carrying out its statutory responsibilities.
Legal observers say the dispute highlights competing priorities between public safety measures and constitutional safeguards. Supporters of the scheme argue the permit requirement will aid security services in curbing vehicle-enabled offences. Critics contend that the policy raises civil liberties questions and that enforcement must proceed only after full judicial consideration.
For now, the effect is procedural. The NPF has emphasised it will continue to deploy lawful, intelligence-driven strategies to address security challenges and protect lives and property while the courts determine the policy’s fate. The adjournment to 20 January will allow the court to hear the police’s application to vacate the interim order and to consider the substantive suit.
Stakeholders on both sides will be watching the outcome closely. A court ruling in favour of the police could clear the way for enforcement and prompt the rollout of the permit mechanism. Conversely, if the injunction is upheld, policymakers and law enforcement will need to pursue alternative measures to address the security concerns the tinted glass policy aimed to tackle.
The case underscores the role of the judiciary in arbitrating disputes over regulatory measures and the balance between security policy and legal due process in Nigeria.
Key Takeaways:
- The Nigeria Police Force has suspended the tinted glass permit policy nationwide pending court determination.
- The Delta State High Court granted an ex parte injunction after a suit by Israel Joe, leading to the pause.
- The police have entered an appearance, applied to vacate the order and the matter was adjourned to 20 January 2026.
- Stakeholders including the Nigerian Bar Association and the police remain at odds over legality and public safety concerns related to the tinted glass permit policy Nigeria.
