High Court Halts Police Crackdown on Tinted Car Windows

A court in Warri, Delta State, has directed the Nigeria Police Force and its top officer to pause the push for drivers to get permits for tinted vehicle glass.

The ruling requires officers to keep things as they are and honour court procedures while the case moves forward.

Judges handed down this temporary instruction at the start of a lawsuit filed by a lawyer named John Aikpokpo-Martins. The claim questions whether the fresh rules on these permits hold up under the law. It names the police chief and the force itself as opponents in the suit, marked FHC/WR/CS/103/2025.

The order stresses that police must follow legal steps until the main arguments get a full airing.

A leading lawyer for the plaintiff described the move as a key win for fair play in the justice system, as the deeper questions in the dispute get sorted out.

Back in April, officers restarted a programme to hand out these permits across the country. They had stopped it back in 2022. The system now runs through a special police online setup.

Many drivers have spoken out against it. They worry about bullying and demands for cash at road checks. They also question why cars that come with dark glass from the factory need extra approval.

The police boss first gave people until 12 August to sort out the permits. He pushed that back to 2 October later on.

Officers say the approach is solid, based on a 1991 law against dark glass in cars. They link it to keeping the country safe. Campaigners for people’s rights call it against the constitution and a way to squeeze money from car owners.

Just days ago, on Tuesday, police in Delta State warned they would start checking tinted glass strictly from Thursday, 2 October 2025. They promised to do it properly, with care for basic freedoms and no mistreatment.

The local force also vowed to crack down hard on private drivers using sirens or flashing lights without permission. They plan to stop anyone hiding or messing with car number plates who shouldn’t.

In a call to road users, the command asked everyone to keep key papers like driving licences, insurance details, and ownership proof handy. They encouraged polite teamwork with officers during routine stops.