DELTA COURT HALTS POLICE FROM ENFORCING TINTED GLASS PERMIT POLICY

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

A Delta State High Court sitting in Orerokpe has granted an interim injunction restraining the Nigeria Police Force from enforcing the tinted glass permit policy scheduled to take effect on January 2, 2026.

The order was issued on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, by Justice Joe Egwu in a suit filed by a private citizen, Mr. Israel Joe, against the Inspector General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force and the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command.

In the suit marked HOR/FHR/M/31/2025, the applicant sought an interim injunction preventing the police from implementing or further implementing the tinted glass permit policy pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application before the court.

Joe also asked the court to restrain the police from stopping, harassing, arresting, detaining, extorting or otherwise interfering with the constitutional rights of motorists under the guise of enforcing the policy. He argued that such actions violate citizens’ rights to dignity of the human person, privacy, freedom of movement and ownership of property.

In its ruling on the motion ex parte, the court granted all the reliefs sought by the applicant, restraining the respondents from implementing or enforcing the tinted glass permit policy until the substantive suit is heard and determined.

Justice Egwu further restrained the respondents from using the Parkway Projects account, described in the application as a private account, to conduct any government business pending the determination of the matter.

The court also granted an order for substituted service on the first and second respondents through the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, at the police headquarters in Asaba, ruling that such service would be deemed proper and sufficient.

Although the applicant was absent when the matter was called, he was represented by a legal team led by Kunle Edun, SAN, alongside several other lawyers, including Ikechukwu Ogbonna, E.O. Onoriode, S.C. Okporgu, T.L. Doigboghie, A.H. Okifo, Sir F.O. Yekovie and J.K. Ezugwu.

After hearing submissions from counsel, the court ordered that the motion ex parte dated and filed on December 17, 2025, be granted as prayed.

The judge also specifically restrained the police from stopping, harassing, arresting, detaining or extorting motorists under the pretext of enforcing the tinted glass permit policy, emphasising the protection of citizens’ fundamental rights.

The motion on notice has been adjourned for hearing on December 24, 2025.

The interim orders, which were sealed by the court, take immediate effect pending the determination of the substantive suit.