A High Court of Delta State sitting in Orerokpe, has stopped the plans of the Nigeria Police Force to resume the enforcement of tinted glass permits, which was scheduled to commence on January 2, 2026.
The court presided over by Justice Joe Egwu, in a significant ruling delivered on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, issued an ex-parte injunction restraining the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and the Delta State Commissioner of Police from implementing the policy across the country.
The ex-parte order followed Suit No: HOR/FHR/M.3/2025) filed by human rights activist, Mr. Israel Joe, who was represented by a legal team led by Kunle Edun, SAN, in which he sought to prevent what he described as potential harassment and the unlawful use of private accounts for government revenue.
The court’s ruling therefore suspends the recent police announcement which had set January 2, 2026, as the commencement date for the nationwide enforcement of the tinted glass permit.
In the judgment, Justice Egwu was explicit in protecting motorists from police interference while the substantive case is being decided.
Accordingly, the court granted an order of interim injunction restraining the 1st and 2nd respondents… from implementing, enforcing or further implementing/enforcing the Tinted Glass Permit Policy scheduled to commence on January 2, 2026, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application.”
The Court particularly prohibited officers of the Nigeria police from using the policy as a pretext for misconduct.
The court ruling stated; “An order of interim injunction restraining the police from stopping, harassing, arresting, detaining or extorting citizens/motorists under the guise of enforcing the Tinted Glass Permit Policy is hereby granted”.
A notable aspect of the injunction involved the financial management of the permit scheme for which the court restrained the IGP and the NPF from using a private contractor’s account, specifically the Parkway Projects Account to conduct official government business.
Justice Egwu also granted an order for substituted service, allowing the IGP and the NPF to be served legal papers through the Delta State Police Command Headquarters in Asaba.
Specifically, the court ruling has explicitly halted the enforcement of the January 2, 2026 deadline for the tinted car glass permit and also barred the Nigeria police from arresting or detaining drivers specifically for tinted glass permits while the order subsists.
The court also ruled that the interim injunction will remain in force until it determines the substantive suit.
