Court suspends enforcement of tinted glass permit policy

Friday, January 2, 2026 - The Nigeria Police Force has suspended the enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy following a court order, just days before the policy was scheduled to take effect nationwide.

The enforcement was due to begin on January 2, 2026. However, police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin said on Thursday, January 1, that the policy has been put on hold pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit or until the court order is vacated.

The decision follows an ex parte injunction issued in December 2025 by a Delta State High Court, which restrained the police from enforcing the tinted glass permit policy across the country. The suit was filed by a private citizen against the Inspector General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Delta State Commissioner of Police.

The matter has sparked a public disagreement between the police and the Nigerian Bar Association. After the police announced plans to resume enforcement in 2026, citing a rise in vehicle related crimes, the NBA accused the force of disregarding a valid court order. The association described the move as executive recklessness and a violation of the rule of law and due process.

In response, the police had earlier maintained that no court order had declared the policy unlawful or permanently restrained them from enforcing it as part of their statutory duties.

Providing an update, Hundeyin confirmed that the police have now been formally served with the interim court order. He said the force has entered an appearance in court, raised preliminary objections, and applied for the vacation of the injunction. The case has been adjourned to January 20, 2026, for further proceedings.

According to the statement, the suspension of enforcement is in strict compliance with the existing court order. The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, reaffirmed that the police remain committed to upholding the rule of law while carrying out their responsibility to protect lives and property.

Hundeyin added that the force will continue to rely on lawful and intelligence driven strategies to address security challenges and ensure public safety nationwide while the legal process runs its course.