A Delta State High Court has restrained the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) from enforcing the tinted glass permit policy nationwide, pending the determination of a substantive suit challenging the policy.
The ex parte injunction was granted on Wednesday by Justice Joe Egwu following an application filed by one Israel Joe against the Inspector-General of Police, the NPF and the Delta State Commissioner of Police.
According to court documents, the applicant urged the court to stop the police and their agents from enforcing the policy in a manner that infringes on citizens’ fundamental rights.
“The applicant asked the court to issue an order restraining the first and second defendants, and their officers from stopping, harassing, arresting, detaining, extorting or otherwise interfering with the constitutional rights to dignity, privacy, freedom of movement and ownership of property of the Applicant (and citizens/motorists) under the guise of enforcing the Tinted Glass permit policy pending hearing and determination of the substantive application filed in the suit,” the documents read.
The court also granted an application seeking to restrain the use of the PARKWAY PROJECTS Account, belonging to a private contractor, for government transactions pending the outcome of the suit. Israel Joe, who was represented by Kunle Edun, had all his prayers granted.
Justice Egwu subsequently fixed December 24 for the hearing of the motion on notice.
The ruling followed an earlier announcement by the NPF that enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy would resume on January 2, 2026, citing rising cases of vehicle-related crimes across the country.
The development drew sharp criticism from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which accused the police of “executive recklessness,” arguing that the announcement demonstrated a “lack of respect for the court, the rule of law, and due process of law.”
In response, the police maintained that there was no court order declaring the tinted glass permit policy unlawful or permanently restraining the force from carrying out its statutory responsibilities.
