Court halts nationwide enforcement of tinted glass permit as Police await January ruling

By Johnson Arua

A High Court sitting in Orerokpe, Delta State, has issued an interim restraining order stopping the Nigeria Police Force from enforcing the tinted glass permit policy recently announced by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun.

The restraining order followed a suit filed by a team of senior legal practitioners led by Kunle Edun, SAN, alongside Ikechukwu Ogbonna, E. Onoriode, S.C. Okporgu, T.L. Diogboghie, A.H. Okifo, Sir F.O. Yekovie and J.K. Ezugwu. The suit challenges the resumption of enforcement of the tinted glass permit nationwide.

Speaking on the development, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, explained that the Nigeria Police Force had, on December 15, 2025, announced plans to resume enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy, with effect from January 2, 2026.

According to him, the decision was taken in line with the Force’s constitutional responsibility to ensure public safety and internal security.

However, Hundeyin disclosed that on December 17, 2025, the Police were served with an interim court order in Suit No. HOR/FHR/M/31/2025, restraining the Force from proceeding with the enforcement pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit or the lifting of the order.

He noted that in compliance with the rule of law 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.

“The court has adjourned the case to January 20, 2026, for further proceedings,” Hundeyin stated.

Consequently, the Police spokesperson said the Force has placed the enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy on hold across the country, strictly in obedience to the subsisting court order, until the court reaches a final decision on the matter.

Reaffirming the position of the Force, Hundeyin quoted the Inspector-General of Police as assuring Nigerians that the Police remain committed to upholding the rule of law while carrying out their core mandate of protecting lives and property.

He added that the Nigeria Police Force would continue to deploy lawful and intelligence-driven strategies to tackle security challenges and ensure public safety nationwide, while keeping the public informed of further developments following the court’s determination of the case.