The Nigeria Police Force has stated that it has not yet been officially served with the court order concerning the enforcement of tinted glass permits.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin — who assumed office in September — disclosed this on Saturday.
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong had earlier posted on X, claiming that a court had directed the police to maintain the status quo in the tinted glass permit case.
Responding, Hundeyin clarified that the police had not received any official notification.
He shared parts of the court document, explaining that the court refused the plaintiff’s three main injunctions against the policy but ordered all parties to preserve the status quo pending the next hearing on October 16.
“While we have not been officially served the court order you’re making reference to, let me, in the meantime, show point number eight (of the same order) since you left that part out and focused only on point number six. Nigerians deserve a complete picture, not a skewed one,” he said.
Reports had earlier indicated that the Federal High Court in Warri issued an interim order on Friday, directing the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police to maintain the status quo in the ongoing case.
In its ruling, the court instructed the police authorities to respect judicial processes pending further proceedings.
Confirming the development, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kunle Edun, who led the legal team, described the decision as a significant step in protecting the rule of law.
Ongoing Enforcement in Niger State
Despite the court’s interim order, the Niger State Police Command has commenced enforcement of the tinted glass permit regulation across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Elleman, personally oversaw the operation in Minna on Thursday, where officers stopped vehicles with tinted windows to verify compliance.
During the exercise, Elleman met with Divisional Police Officers and their teams, urging them to remain professional, firm, and courteous.
He expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation from motorists and praised the orderly conduct observed on the first day. The commissioner reiterated that ignorance of the law would not excuse non-compliance.
Elleman stressed that the enforcement was not punitive but a national security measure, explaining that criminals often use tinted glass to conceal their identities during crimes.
He added that the regulation promotes transparency, safety, and accountability on Nigerian roads.
In April 2025, the Inspector-General of Police introduced a policy requiring vehicle owners to obtain annual tinted glass permits from the police for a specified fee.
The policy has generated nationwide debate, with motorists and rights groups criticizing the process as cumbersome and prone to abuse, while security experts maintain that it is crucial for national safety.
Amid the growing controversy, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) filed a suit against the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, challenging the legality of the policy.