The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has responded to circulating reports of a Federal High Court order directing it to maintain the status quo in the ongoing legal challenge to the enforcement of its new tinted glass permit policy, stating that it has not yet been officially served with the court’s directive.
The clarification came following a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, who shared a copy of the interim order in the case filed by John Aikpokpo-Martins, on behalf of tinted glass vehicle owners in Nigeria.
In response, Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, acknowledged the existence of the post but emphasized that the police had not received formal notice of the ruling.
“While we have not been officially served the court order you’re making reference to, let me, in the meantime, show point no. 8 (of the same order) since you left that part out and focused only on point no. 6. Nigerians deserve a complete picture, not a skewed one,” Hundeyin wrote.
Court Refuses Key Interim Reliefs in Tinted Glass Suit
Point 8 of the order, highlighted by the police spokesperson, reads:
“Meanwhile, Reliefs 1, 2, and 3 are hereby refused.”
These reliefs, sought by the plaintiff, Aikpokpo-Martins, in Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025 — John Aikpokpo-Martins v. Inspector General of Police & Nigeria Police Force — aimed to stop the enforcement of the new tinted glass policy scheduled to begin on October 6, 2025.
The reliefs included an interim injunction restraining the Police from implementing or enforcing the new tinted glass permit policy, an injunction against stopping, harassing, arresting, or extorting motorists in connection with the policy and a restraint on the Police from using the Parkway Projects account (No. 4001017918) to collect fees related to tinted glass permits.
Court Orders Status Quo Amid Ongoing Proceedings
Despite the refusal of the specific interim injunctions, the Federal High Court sitting in Warri ordered that status quo be maintained, effectively pausing active enforcement of the new policy until the substantive motion is heard.
The case has sparked considerable public interest, especially among Nigerian motorists, who have frequently raised concerns about harassment, extortion, and lack of clarity surrounding the police’s tinted glass enforcement operations.
Lawyers: Court Order is a Victory for Rule of Law
Kunle Edun, SAN, who is leading the legal team for the applicant, described the ruling as a victory for constitutional rights and due process.
“This order is a major step in upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of citizens while the substantive issues are yet to be decided,” Edun stated.
Meanwhile, Effiong maintained that the court’s order meant the police must suspend any enforcement activities related to the tinted glass policy pending further legal clarification.
