By Joe Udo
ASABA (CONVERSEER) – A Delta State High Court sitting in Orerokpe has granted an interim injunction restraining the Nigeria Police Force from implementing or enforcing the tinted glass permit policy scheduled to take effect on January 2, 2026.
Justice Joe Egwu issued the order on Wednesday while ruling on a suit filed by Mr Israel Joe against the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command.
The suit, marked HOR/FHR/M/31/2025, sought an interim order barring the police from implementing, enforcing, or taking any steps to enforce the tinted glass permit policy pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application before the court.
The applicant also asked the court to restrain the respondents from stopping, harassing, arresting, detaining, extorting, or otherwise interfering with the constitutional rights of citizens and motorists under the guise of enforcing the policy. The rights cited include the dignity of the human person, privacy, freedom of movement, and the right to own property.
Granting the motion ex parte, Justice Egwu approved all the reliefs sought by the applicant and restrained the respondents from “implementing, enforcing, or further implementing” the tinted glass permit policy pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The court further issued an interim injunction restraining the police and their agents from harassing, arresting, detaining, or extorting the applicant and other motorists while purportedly enforcing the policy.
In addition, Justice Egwu restrained the respondents from continuing to use the Parkway Projects account, described in the application as a private account, to conduct any government business pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application.
The judge also granted an order for substituted service on the first and second respondents through the third respondent, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, at the police headquarters in Asaba, deeming such service proper and sufficient.
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Although the applicant was absent when the matter was called, he was represented by a legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kunle Edun, alongside Ikechukwu Ogbonna, E.O. Onoriode, S.C. Okporgu, T.L. Doigboghie, A.H. Okifo, Sir F.O. Yekovie, and J.K. Ezugwu.
After hearing submissions from counsel, the court ordered that the motion ex parte dated and filed on December 17 be granted as prayed.
The motion on notice has been fixed for hearing on December 24, while the interim orders, duly sealed by the court, take effect from December 17.
The ruling comes weeks after a Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, on October 3, also restrained the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police from enforcing the controversial tinted glass permit requirement for vehicle owners.
In that earlier case, the court directed the police to maintain the status quo and respect ongoing judicial processes pending further hearings in Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025, filed by human rights lawyer, Mr John Aikpokpo-Martins, against the IGP and the Police Force.
