Delta Court Freezes Police Tinted Glass Permit Policy Over Rights Concerns

A Delta State High Court sitting in Otor-Udu (Oghara axis) has issued an interim order stopping the Nigeria Police Force from enforcing the tinted glass permit policy nationwide. The policy was scheduled to take effect on January 2, 2026, but the court ruled that its enforcement could threaten citizens’ fundamental rights.

The ruling was delivered on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, by Justice Joe Egwu following a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Mr. Israel Joe against the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Commissioner of Police in Delta State.

In Suit No. HOR/FHR/M/31/2025, the court granted all the reliefs sought by the applicant and directed the immediate suspension of the tinted glass permit policy pending the determination of the substantive suit. This decision effectively prevents the police from taking any steps to implement or further enforce the policy for now.

Justice Egwu specifically restrained the respondents from stopping, harassing, arresting, intimidating, or extorting motorists and other citizens under the guise of enforcing the policy. The court held that such actions would amount to a violation of constitutionally protected rights, including the rights to dignity of the human person, privacy, freedom of movement, and property ownership.

The court also barred the respondents from using the Parkway Projects account, identified in the suit as a private account, for the conduct of government business, describing the practice as unlawful and improper.

Mr. Israel Joe was represented by a legal team led by Kunle Edun, SAN. Although the first and second respondents were absent during the proceedings, the court approved substituted service, ordering that court processes be served through the Commissioner of Police in Asaba.

The interim orders were formally enrolled on December 17, 2025, while December 24, 2025, has been fixed for the hearing of the motion on notice. At that sitting, the court is expected to fully consider and determine the legality and constitutionality of the tinted glass permit policy.

The ruling is expected to draw nationwide attention, as it temporarily halts a controversial policy that has sparked widespread public debate over civil liberties and police-citizen relations.