A significant legal victory for motorists and civil rights was recorded on Wednesday, the 17th of December, 2025, as the Delta State High Court halted the planned enforcement of the controversial Tinted Glass Permit Policy.
The ruling, delivered by Hon. Justice Joe Egwu, provides a temporary reprieve for citizens just weeks before the policy was set to take effect nationwide.
The suit was filed by renowned human rights activist Comrade Israel Joe (Suit No: HOR/FHR/M/31/2025). Seeking to protect the constitutional rights of Nigerians, Joe through his lead counsel, Mr. Kunle Edun, SAN challenged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and the Delta State Commissioner of Police (CP), Olufemi Abaniwonda.
The court accepted the prayers of the applicant, effectively freezing the police’s ability to move forward with the policy. The court’s order covers four critical areas:
“An Order of Interim Injunction restraining the 1st and 2nd Respondents, their officers, men, agents, privies and/or contractors from implementing/enforcing the Tinted Glass Permit Policy set to commence on the 2nd of January 2026 pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application filed in the suit.”
“An Order of Interim Injunction restraining the 1st and 2nd Respondents their officers, men, agent, privies and/or Contractors from stopping, harassing, arresting, detaining, extorting or otherwise interfering with the constitutional rights to dignity, privacy, freedom of movement and ownership of property of the Applicant (And citizens/motorists) under the guise of enforcing the Tinted Glass Permit Policy pending hearing and determination of the substantive application filed in the suit.”
“An Order of Interim Injunction restraining the 1st and 2nd Respondents, their officers, men, agent, privies and/or contractors from continuing to use PARKWAY PROJECTS ACCOUNT (a private contractor’s account) to conduct any government business pending hearing and determination of the substantive suit.”
“An Order for substituted service on the 1st and 2nd Respondents through the 3rd Respondent at the Delta State Police Command Headquarters, Asaba and for such service to be deemed as good and proper service.”
During the proceedings, while Comrade Joe was absent, his legal team led by the Senior Advocate of Nigeria successfully argued the urgency of the matter. Hon. Justice Joe Egwu ruled:
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“The Motion Ex-Parte dated and filed 17/12/2025 is hereby ordered as prayed.”
“The hearing of the Motion is fixed for 24/12/2025.”
In a statement released shortly after the ruling, Comrade Israel Joe expressed his satisfaction with the judiciary’s intervention, urging the police leadership to respect the rule of law.
“This is victory for democracy and we hereby call on the Inspector General of Police to obey the court order and jettison every planned enforcement.”
The case is adjourned until the 24th of December, where the court will further deliberate on the substantive issues raised. Until then, the police are legally barred from enforcing the tinted glass permit mandate.