A Federal High Court has stopped the Nigeria Police Force from enforcing its controversial tinted glass permit policy. The police had planned to begin enforcement on Monday, 6 October 2025. The court in Warri, Delta State, issued the ruling after a suit filed by lawyer John Aikpokpo-Martins, who argued that the policy was unlawful and placed an unfair burden on citizens.

Here are five key points you need to know.

1. The policy was marketed as a security measure, not a revenue drive

The Nigerian Police Force defended the regulation as a response to security threats. Spokespersons explained that criminals often exploit tinted windows to hide their identity while committing crimes. They insisted the initiative was not a money-making scheme. Police officers also stressed that all payments go into the Federal Government’s Treasury Single Account and not into police funds.

2. A permit would have required significant effort and money

Vehicle owners would need to register through the police e-CMR portal, a process that takes about three minutes with a 24-hour waiting period for validation. After that, they would need either a doctor’s report from a government hospital or a recommendation from security agencies like the police, DSS, EFCC, Army, or Navy. Additionally, applicants would pay a non-refundable fee of 21,500 Naira, including VAT. Even after jumping through these hoops, the Nigerian Police Force retains exclusive rights to approve or deny requests. The permit would only last one year before requiring renewal.

3. The court didn’t just suspend the policy; it protected citizens from harassment

 The interim injunction goes beyond merely pausing enforcement. It explicitly bars police officers, their agents, and contractors from “harassing, stopping, arresting, detaining, or impounding vehicles” under the guise of enforcing tinted glass regulations. This language suggests the court anticipated potential abuse of the policy. The order requires authorities to maintain the status quo and respect judicial processes while the case proceeds.

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4. The police have complied, and enforcement is officially on hold

The Nigeria Police Force confirmed that it received the court order and has suspended enforcement. A spokesperson for the FCT Police Command said enforcement remains “on hold pending the court’s verdict.” Authorities stressed they are not opposed to the judiciary. The case, John Aikpokpo-Martins v. Inspector General of Police & Anor, has been adjourned for further hearing. The suspension will remain in place until the court rules on the substantive motion.

5.  The ruling raises questions about priorities and public trust

Discussions on social media platforms like X and WhatsApp indicate concerns about whether restricting tinted windows genuinely addresses sophisticated criminal networks plaguing Nigeria. Or does it simply represent low-hanging fruit that disproportionately affects ordinary citizens while doing little to deter determined criminals?

Perhaps more significantly, the swift judicial intervention and its explicit protective language reveal something troubling about the relationship between Nigerian citizens and their police force. The deep-seated mistrust evident in this case suggests many Nigerians worry that enforcement measures ostensibly designed for public safety may instead become tools for extortion or overreach.

As the case moves through Nigeria’s judicial system, these broader questions about the balance between security needs and civil liberties remain unresolved.