The Delta State High Court has stopped the Nigeria Police Force from resuming enforcement of the controversial tinted glass permit policy nationwide. The order blocks the plan just weeks before it was scheduled to take effect on January 2, 2026.
Justice Joe Egwu of the Orerokpe Judicial Division issued the interim injunction on Wednesday, restraining the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Nigeria Police Force, and their officers from implementing the policy. The order remains in force pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit before the court.
The judge further barred the police from stopping, arresting, detaining, harassing, or extorting motorists under the pretext of enforcing the tinted glass permit requirement. The court held that any such actions would amount to an infringement of citizens’ constitutional rights.
The case was brought by a Delta State resident, Israel Joe, who challenged the planned resumption of the policy. He was represented by a legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kunle Edun. The respondents in the suit include the Inspector General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command.
In his ruling, Justice Egwu stated that the court was satisfied that an interim order was necessary to preserve the rights of citizens pending the outcome of the main application. He specifically restrained the respondents from interfering with the rights to dignity of the human person, privacy, freedom of movement, and ownership of property of motorists across the country.
Beyond enforcement, the court also barred the police from using the Parkway Projects account, a private contractor’s bank account, for the collection of fees or other government-related transactions linked to the tinted glass permit scheme. The restriction will remain until the substantive suit is resolved.
The court additionally granted an order for substituted service, allowing court documents to be served on the Inspector General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force through the Delta State Police Command in Asaba.
The tinted glass permit policy was first announced by the police in April 2025, requiring motorists to obtain renewable annual permits via an online platform. Its enforcement was initially slated for June 1, later postponed to October 2, and eventually shifted to January 2, 2026.
The policy has faced stiff opposition from the Nigerian Bar Association, which argues that it promotes harassment and extortion. The NBA also maintains that the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act of 1991 is a military-era law inconsistent with democratic governance and constitutional protections.
Following earlier litigation, the Federal High Court in Warri had ordered parties to maintain the status quo in October 2025. Despite this, the police announced plans to resume enforcement, citing security concerns. The NBA has since warned that disobedience of court orders could trigger contempt proceedings.
