By Fatima Mukhtar
Despite a clear court injunction halting the enforcement of tinted glass permits, police officers across several Nigerian states have continued arresting motorists, raising serious questions about respect for judicial authority and the rule of law.
The Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, had on October 3, 2025, issued an interim injunction restraining the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police from enforcing the tinted glass permit policy. The order followed a suit filed by human rights lawyer, John Aikpokpo-Martins, who challenged the legality and constitutionality of the permit system, arguing that it infringes on citizens’ rights and lacks proper legal foundation. The court directed that all enforcement actions be suspended pending the determination of the case.
However, findings by the National daily, and ICIR show that police officers in several states, including Delta, Katsina, Jigawa, Borno, and Sokoto, have continued to impound vehicles and arrest motorists over tinted windows. Reports indicate that dozens of cars have been seized and drivers subjected to harassment despite the subsisting court order. In Delta State alone, more than 25 vehicles were reportedly impounded just days after the injunction was issued.
Motorists have expressed frustration over the continued crackdown, describing it as “lawlessness in uniform.” Many said that even cars with factory-fitted tints are being targeted by the police. A motorist in Lagos told The Nation that his vehicle came with tinted glass from the manufacturer but he was still stopped and threatened with arrest for not possessing a permit.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the police for disobeying the court order, warning that such actions amount to contempt of court. The NBA’s Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) urged the police authorities to comply immediately, stressing that disobedience to judicial orders undermines the integrity of the legal system and weakens democracy.
Public reactions have also been critical, with many Nigerians accusing the police of using the tinted glass regulation as a tool for intimidation and extortion. Some motorists have reported difficulties in accessing the online permit portal, saying it is riddled with errors and that agents demand illegal payments for processing.
While security experts argue that tinted glasses can shield criminal activities, human rights advocates insist that enforcement must follow due process and respect citizens’ rights. Legal analysts have warned that the continued defiance of the court order erodes public confidence in law enforcement and sets a dangerous precedent.
They called on the judiciary to ensure compliance and urged the Inspector-General of Police to issue clear directives to all commands to suspend enforcement immediately. Until then, motorists remain caught between the law and those sworn to uphold it.
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