A significant legal development has unfolded in Nigeria concerning the controversial tinted glass permit policy. A Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, on Friday issued an interim order directing the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to immediately suspend the enforcement of the tinted glass permit across the country. This crucial directive mandates the police to maintain the status quo and respect judicial processes pending further proceedings in the matter, as disclosed by human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong via a post on X.

The interim order was granted during a hearing for Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025. This suit was instituted by John Aikpokpo-Martins, a legal professional, who approached the court to challenge the fundamental legality of the new tinted permit enforcement. Kunle Edun, SAN, who leads the legal team representing the petitioner, underscored the importance of the court’s directive, stating it represents a major step towards upholding the rule of law while the substantive issues of the case are under judicial review.

This legal challenge is not an isolated incident. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) had previously initiated its own suit against the IGP on September 5, describing the tinted glass permit policy as unlawful and a direct violation of the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens. In response to the NBA's stance, Benjamin Hundeyin, the force spokesperson, countered their position, labeling it as misleading and an attempt to cast aspersions on the image, integrity, and lawful operations of the police force.

In a letter dated October 1, the NBA reiterated its position to the IGP, drawing attention to the fact that the legality of the tinted glass policy was already a subject of litigation before a Federal High Court in Abuja. The NBA admonished the IGP, stating that “the Nigeria Police, as a law enforcement agency, should know better not to be lawless.” The enforcement of the tinted glass permit, initially scheduled to commence on June 1, had already been postponed once, with the new take-off date set for October 2.