A Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, on Friday ordered the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to “maintain the status quo” in the contentious tinted glass permit dispute. 

The case, filed as Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025, pits lawyer, John Aikpokpo-Martins against the IGP and the NPF.

The court directed police authorities to respect judicial processes and refrain from further enforcement until the substantive matter is resolved.

The ruling comes amid public outrage after police in Asaba impounded the vehicle of Justice O. A. Ogunbowale of the National Industrial Court on the first day of tinted glass enforcement. 

The NBA described the move as “an embarrassing and avoidable situation” that starkly exposed the risk of abusing such policy.

Leading the petitioner’s legal team, Kunle Edun, SAN welcomed the directive as a significant step toward upholding the rule of law while the court considers the broader constitutional issues.

The tinted glass permit regime, recently reactivated by the police after earlier suspensions, has drawn criticism for alleged harassment of motorists, demands for permit fees, and claims of extortion. 

Critics argue many modern vehicles come with factory-fitted tints, making the policy impractical.

Defenders of the policy cite the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act and earlier statutes, maintaining the police must regulate tinted glass for health, safety, and security. 

The Force has urged motorists to register via the official POSSAP portal or remove tint if they do not wish to apply.