The Nigeria Police Force has clarified that, as of Saturday, they had not been officially served with the court order directing them to maintain the status quo regarding the enforcement of the controversial tinted glass permit policy.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, made the clarification on Saturday, following reports that a Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, had issued an interim order on Friday against the enforcement of the permit.
Police Position on the Court Order
CSP Hundeyin confirmed that the Police had not received any official notification of the order. He also shared excerpts of the court order to provide a fuller picture, noting that while the court directed all parties to preserve the status quo pending the next hearing on October 16, the court had refused the three main injunctions sought by the plaintiff against the policy.
The lawyer leading the plaintiff’s legal team, Kunle Edun (SAN), confirmed the ruling and described it as an important step in upholding the rule of law.
Continued Enforcement in Niger State
Despite the ongoing legal process and the court’s directive, the Niger State Police Command has commenced enforcement of the tinted glass permit regulation across the state.
- On-the-Ground Enforcement: The Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Elleman, personally supervised the operation in Minna metropolis, where officers were seen stopping vehicles with tinted windows to verify compliance.
- Security Rationale: Elleman stressed that the enforcement is not punitive but a national security measure, explaining that criminals often exploit tinted glass to conceal their identities during unlawful activities. He warned that ignorance of the law would not serve as an excuse for non-compliance.
The controversial policy, which requires vehicle owners to apply for and obtain an annual permit for a specified fee, was introduced by the Inspector-General of Police in April 2025 and has since generated significant debate and legal challenges across the country.
